Student filling out answers to a test with a pencil.
Resin has been garnering a lot of attention lately. It is a malleable material that has numerous functions. It is a substance that can be of natural and synthetic origin. The naturally occurring Resin is present to protect the plant from pathogens and injury. It acts as a protective shield.
Resin is highly durable, which is why it is used in resin flooring as it provides a durable coat that also gives enhanced shine to floors.
Types of Resin
There are various varieties of Resin, which are broadly classified based on their setting type. They are:
- Thermoplastic resins:-They are resins that can be heated and then hardened until cooled. There are incredibly close bonds between molecules inside the molecule chain of such resins.
- Thermosets:- These resins, on the other hand, undergo a reaction that is non-reversible, resulting in a hard end product. It is formed by a mechanism called polymerization. It takes place in certain materials by using heat, a catalyst, or a mixture of the two.
The curing rate and time of each type differ. ‘Casting resin’ is liquid methyl methacrylate. The hardened state after it sets is called acrylic glass. There are even insect-derived resins, of which shellac is an example.
Uses of Resin
The applications of Resin are endless.
- Polyester resin is used in making parts for fishing rods, skis, ships, bottles, and decorative accessories.
- Phenolic Resin is highly impact-resistant and corrosion-resistant. Electrical appliances, moulds, and cement adhesives use this type of Resin.
- Epoxy resin also is known as polyepoxide, and they have excellent resistance. This Resin is used in resin flooring, linings, laminates, adhesives, surface coatings, and propellers.
- Polyethylene resins are the most widely used. They are moisture-resistant and highly flexible. It is used in toy-making, cables, laminates, pipes, and fitting, etc.
- Acrylic Resin is a clear resin with high tensile strength, used to make decorative panels, signs, tiles, tables, etc.
- Polypropylene resins are thermoplastic and have no BPA in them. Therefore they are used in medical equipment, non-toxic toys, etc.
Resin for Jewellery making
Epoxy resin is the easiest to work with while making jewellery. It allows sufficient pot time for you to work with it.
Pendants, earrings, and rings are created by pouring them into moulds of the required shape. They are also mixed with natural substances to increase its aesthetic appeal. For example, a pendant will have a fresh flower with Resin poured over it. The flowers remain in that state for a long time.
Resin for Carpentry
Resin has primarily an aesthetic role to play in carpentry and furnishing. The permutations of combining wood and Resin are endless. It is used to make tables, decorative paperweights, stunning statement artworks, etc.
Australia is one of the birthplaces of epoxy resin in art. They are documented as one of the firsts to mix colours in Resin. Stunning tabletops are fashioned out of old discarded wood by coating them with a layer of epoxy. The see-through nature makes the wood visible from underneath, adding a surreal 3D effect. It requires a lot of manual labour. The process includes shaping, sanding, pouring, and finally polishing. It hardens the wood and keeps it from spoiling.
Conclusion:
Resin is an inexpensive but durable solution to make long-lasting products. They are safe once they are set and are aesthetically appealing.
