There are many resine epoxy on the market. How to find among all these existing formulations? What technical characteristics should be taken into account? What should you compare when you hesitate between resins from different suppliers? Here are 3 tips to make the right choice of resin.

1. VERIFY SOLVENT CONTENT

How to identify a solvent resin?

You may have already read on a data sheet or seen on the label of an epoxy resin, the mention "100% solid" or low VOC. This is crucial information that resin users and buyers do not always understand.

Indeed, the family of epoxy resins is vast. It is better to ensure that you work with the right formulation for its application. Some resins are ideal for thin-layer applications, others respond well to thick-casting. It is rare and not recommended to use one in place of another.

So many epoxy resins are sold as flooring. These resins are specifically formulated for optimum results when cast in a thin layer. For this purpose, they frequently contain water or solvents which facilitate the application of the product. These resins regularly display a high VOC content.

However, for other applications, resins containing large amounts of VOC are strongly discouraged. In the field of molding, casting of river tables or encapsulation of electronic components for example, the 100% solid is certainly a best option .

A formulation containing VOCs has the disadvantageous disadvantage of experiencing greater shrinkage phenomena . In general, in fact, there is no such significant shrinkage with a resin 100% solids or 100% reactive materials.

2. PREFERRED A 100% SOLID RESIN

Moreover, when you buy a resin, which contains 48g / liter of VOC, this means that on one liter of resin, 48% will evaporate. Therefore, it is wiser to opt for a 100% solid for cost issues.

Take the example of a resin containing 48g / liter of CoV sold $ 620 in 30L format.

This means that 48% of this 30L will evaporate. In reality, you only buy 15.6 L of resin at this price; you actually pay $ 39.74 per liter and not $ 20 / liter of resin.

Thus, a 100% solid resin (guaranteed without any VOC) is less expensive.

3. COMPARE A PRICE BY LITER

In addition, it is always better to compare two offers with a price per liter. If the manufacturer does not mention it clearly, you will probably need the weight of the container and the specific gravity .

The specific gravity is none other than the weight of 1 liter of your resin. A resin having a density of 1.65, this means that 1 liter of resin weighs 1.65 kg. If you compare two resins with the same weight, if one of them has a higher density, there will be less resin in your container to reach the same weight.

Pay attention to manufacturers who sell in gallon format. Is the gallon equivalent to 3.78 liters of resin? Often, North American manufacturers refer to the format of the container, but it is not completely filled! In short, you think you have 3.78 L of product, but in reality, the quantity is less.

(See here the article titled: How much resin do you buy to learn how to compare resin offerings on the market)

4. THE "GOOD" PRODUCT ADAPTED TO YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS AND YOUR PROJECT

Buying at the right price is important, but it is not always wise to rely on the simple " cost ". In reality, we do not always save to opt for the cheapest! When a buyer neglects the quality of the product, when he fails to include in his analysis the preparation and application of the product, he will often have to endure additional costs, not or badly estimated initially.

Take the case of a buyer who buys resin X because it seems the cheapest. This same resin may ultimately prove less economical, if in fact the production team, back, is forced to stir the mixture for hours before being able to use the resin because it contains a lot of fillers (filler).

Similarly, if the technical characteristics of the product have not been properly evaluated: viscosity, pot life, curing time, poor product selection can have a negative impact on production (read here).

Also, if you are currently using a resin that is right for your needs, evaluate the true cost of a resin change in your technique, your manufacturing process. Only do it if the game is worth it: better performance, greater ease of application, better quality of the product.

Similarly, in a different register. There are sometimes high temperature versions of some of our resins. These versions are always more expensive. They are worth the cost only if one is equipped with oven to operate the post-cooking. Otherwise, the product never reaches the maximum of its technical performance. For HT versions, post-cooking is an essential step.

Thus, it is useless to invest a resin with more advanced characteristics, if you can not make sure to perform all the steps necessary for the preparation and use of the resin.

A wise buyer of resin is the one who has therefore evaluated his project and who knows how to integrate in his comparison of product offers the right parameters ...