In the world of chemistry and materials and its polymer branch, resin is a kind of sticky and solid material .Resin is a natural or synthetic compound that hardens under conditions. Resins are usually soluble in alcohol, but not in water. Among the natural resins, we can mention pine resin, which has been used by humans for thousands of years for various purposes such as sealing boats, embalming corpses, preparing food containers, etc .Synthetic resin is used in making all kinds of ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces and all kinds of artistic tools.
The most widely used synthetic resins
Synthetic resins are classified according to the type of chemical compounds and their uses. Among the most widely used synthetic resins are polyester resin, apoxy resin, vinyl ester resin, phenolic resin.
Epoxy resin:
Epoxy resins are one of the most widely used resins in the manufacture of handmade artwork and ornaments in the world. These resins, which are also known as epoxide resins, belong to the family of two-component resins, including (resin base) and Hardner. These two components must be combined to the extent determined by the manufacturing company based on its chemical composition. Epoxy resins have high chemical resistance and are very resistant to corrosion.
Polyester resin:
Polyester resin is a liquid material that is most widely used in sculpture, marine industry, boat building and artificial stone production. Also, this type of resin has the ability to mold for all kinds of shields or repair plastic parts. Polyester resins have a foul odor and pungency when liquid. Polyester resin, like epoxy resin, consists of two basic parts, resin and hardener. When it is combined with a hardener, after the passage of time, it becomes high heat and becomes jelly-like, and then it becomes firm and hard. When this substance hardens, its molecules will be absorbed and a little of the liquid will evaporate. The duration of polyester hardening depends on several factors such as the amount of accelerating material, the amount of hardener material and the air temperature of the room.
Safety tip: If this substance is consumed daily and sparingly, it will not cause much damage. But if its amount is more than a small one, you must use a suitable ventilation in that space.
The difference between epoxy resin and polyester resin
1_ The first difference between polyester resin and epoxy resin is the appearance characteristics of these two compounds. Polyester resin is a viscous and slightly transparent liquid that, after combining with some filler materials and releasing a large amount of heat, produces a specific product with a plastic appearance. But epoxy resin will glow and become transparent after drying.
2_ Epoxy resin is higher price and more expensive compared to polyester resin.
3- Polyester resin has a very bad smell, but epoxy resin does not have a special smell, but you should keep in mind that the gases emitted from some odorless epoxy resins are much more dangerous than the emitted gases They are polyesters and together with their hardening agent, they cause allergic reactions (as a result, to work with resins, you must follow the safety and health tips provided by the manufacturing plant) Note ().
4. Another difference between polyester resin and epoxy resin is that polyester resin is not resistant to UV shearing.
5_ Polyester resin will have a noticeable volume reduction at the end of the work. But if there is no solvent inside the epoxy resin, this resin will not decrease in volume.
6- Epoxy resin has higher resistance and strength than polyester resin.
Therefore, this resin may be able to withstand many mechanical and physical pressures. and turns into glass. But. Polyester cannot adhere to the surface as much as epoxy. In fact, epoxy resin works much more viscous than polyester on surfaces such as stone and metal and.
