Is Epoxy Resin UV-Resistant?
Is Epoxy Resin UV-Resistant?
No, epoxy resins are not UV-resistant. Along with being water-resistant and shatter-resistant, epoxy resins are also UV-sensitive, meaning they will break down if exposed to UV radiation from the sun for long periods. The UV rays can cause discoloration and cracking, reducing your piece’s durability over time.
Also, if you plan to paint over your pieces with a clear coat after curing them in the mold, you are at a higher risk of having your piece react poorly to weathering due to this sensitivity.
This is because epoxy resin often requires multiple layers of paint before its color is opaque enough for an acceptable finish on wood projects. The majority of epoxy is not UV resistant.
It’s merely the nature of the ingredients that make up epoxy glue and hardener; they become unstable when exposed to UV (ultraviolet) radiation. As a result, you must cover the surface with a UV-resistant coating.
However, there are certain glues and resins that have been engineered with a special UV stabilizer mixed into their formulation to preserve the integrity of the epoxy resin’s components. Some products use this special UV stabilizer, while others also use a clear epoxy resin that does not need additional treatment.
If you choose to use one of these products in your project, it must be mixed with an adhesive wax or something else that will protect it from UV rays. This not only helps keep your finished piece in good condition, but it also adds an aesthetic appeal.
What Is The Difference Between Epoxy Resin And Vinyl Ester Resin?
There are several differences between epoxy resin and vinyl ester. First, it has a higher heat resistance than epoxy resin, which can withstand higher temperatures.
This makes epoxy useful for projects that need to withstand the elements, such as embellishments and toys, but not large-scale type-to-type repairs (e.g., furniture) or casting large objects in molds while hot.
The second is that vinyl ester is less sensitive to UV radiation than most epoxy resins. This extra durability makes it ideal for artistic pieces such as woodworking projects and costume jewelry, where the finish must be largely transparent or semi-transparent.
Vinyl esters are more expensive than Polyesters. CRD Epoxy resins are much more suited to extremely strenuous tasks such as enduring vibrational loads and are more water resistant and environmentally stable than either Vinyl ester or Polyester resins whilst providing higher tensile strength and thermal stability.
In addition, CRD Epoxy resins are fully UV-resistant, which can be particularly important for applications where the finished product is exposed to varying light conditions.
The final difference is that CRD Epoxys have no solvents; solvent stability is one of our primary design parameters! Some polyester resins have small amounts of organic compounds within them, however, these compounds will evaporate over a suitable period when used with CRD epoxy resins.