Resins are adhesive types and viscous materials designed to laminate or coat materials in a wide range of applications. In the case of fixing or filling in a cavity, resins are liquids that harden into solid coatings or fillings to provide a better fit. The resin will fill the gap with the appropriate mixture to fill in the gap. They are convertible into rigid polymers upon curing under different conditions, such as light exposure, heat, or other hardeners or agents.
What are the Main Categories of Resins?
Resin is broadly categorised into natural and synthetic forms with many applications. Natural resins are translucent or transparent organic substances that are fusible. On the other hand, synthetic resins are clear but differ chemically. There are also some casting resins in liquid forms before their polymerisation and setting. In addition, resin products are also available as kits, such as fiberglass repair kits.
What are the Advantages of Resins?
They are very beneficial with excellent features; however, the main advantages include:
- They are very strong.
- Balance of Mechanical properties.
- Electrical properties.
- Odourless and zero shrinkage features.
- Chemical properties.
- Excellent stability.
- Come in gel, paste, and liquid forms.
- Easy to handle and process.
- Multiple colour and package type options.
- Compatible with joining different materials.
What Are the Popular Resin Types?
There are different types of resin available. Some of the more popular types include:
- Epoxy Resin: Epoxy resins are made from different chemical components with varying ratios designed to laminate and coat various materials to provide protection. These compounds are extremely durable and strong and feature dimensional stability and adhesion characteristics. They also offer excellent resistance against chemicals, moisture, and corrosion. Epoxy resin is best for coating circuit boards and patching holes in concrete pavements, among other multiple applications with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
- Polyester Resin: Polyester resin, also known as polyester or unsaturated polyester resin, is a viscous adhesive solution that normally consists of styrene. They are widely used for filling, laminating, and sealing materials with a speedy cure time. These sealing compounds offer excellent resistance against harsh environmental conditions and chemicals. In addition, a catalyst, known as MEKP, is a hardening (curing) material added to the polyester resin.
Other Resin Types Include
- Acrylic resins
- Alkyd resins
- Phenolic resins
- Polycarbonate resins
- Polyamide resins
- Polyurethane resins
- Silicone resins
- Polyethylene resins
- Polypropylene resins
What are Typical Resin Applications?
Resins offer a great deal of construction, household, and DIY applications; however, they are primarily used to glue together or mould objects. Other common applications include:
- Adhesives
- Electronic equipment
- Coatings
- Paints
- Medical devices.
