Resin Driveway or epoxy resin and Polyester resin? What differences? Which one to choose ?
There are three main types of thermosetting resins, the two most common of which are: Polyester, epoxy.
These two resins have common characteristics but are also very different! It is especially important to use body protection, for the respiratory tract and the eyes in both cases. It can be loaded, however certain loads differ from one Resin Driveway to another, and can be worked in lamination at a stable temperature between 15 and 25 ° C.
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Polyester resin:
The main advantage of this resin is that it is economical. Remains the polyester base on woods is better to favor on epoxy base in working to different support and over epoxy.
To make the most of the potential of a polyester resin with the advertised qualities, it is therefore necessary to work in a temperate environment, with a polyester resin at a temperate temperature on a mold or a part also at a temperate temperature, as mentioned above between 15 and 25 ° vs. It remains possible to depart from this framework since the polyester resin is quite flexible in terms of use, in particular by changing the catalyst or its dosage.
The polyester resin formulations are very numerous: orthophthalic, isophthalic, isophthalic pg., vinyl ester… ..we will simply focus on the two most common.
Orth phthalic polyester resin:
This is the most classic formulation! Extremely versatile and inexpensive, it also allows solid lamination, however it suffers from significant water uptake, i.e. the fiber + resin system is much more reactive to humidity: which compromises its durability. It also has the effect of a greater shrinkage. Generating, when pulling parts from a mold.
Isophthalic polyester resin:
To limit water intake (without being waterproof), there is isophthalic polyester resin containing cobalt (which gives it its blue color) which gives it a “marine quality”, in addition to all the qualities of its orthophthalic counterpart. . It is a low shrinkage resin.
The manufacture of parts such as swimming pools, basins, or even the automobile, by being completed with a gelcoat / topcoat.
A quality work is general to carry the favor of this formulation recommended.
Epoxy resin:
The epoxy resin, like the polyester resin is a thermosetting compound, however it requires two components (base + hardener), all of this working on the rule of shares (refer to the technical leaflet of the product). This resin is perfect for all jobs requiring increased performance or greater durability / strength.
Unlike polyester resin, it is waterproof by nature, which eliminates any problem related to its immersion or its presence in a humid environment, which is why it is particularly used for repairs below the line. of flotation in the nautical world. It also has maximum adhesion: that is to say that it holds on to any type of support whatsoever, metal, wood, concrete, polyester lamination, providing greater resistance to mechanical and chemical stresses.
During its drying phase, this resin does not operate any shrinkage: the “before-after” ratings will therefore be the same.
In conclusion, there is no better solution, there are solutions depending on the type of project and its constraints.
Resin Driveway
Epoxy resins are also very resistant to several heads: their robust chemical composition makes them very insensitive to aggressive solvents and their hardness provides good protection against impacts.
In the technical sheets, this hardness is expressed on the Shore scale (scale used in many standard references). The epoxy resin once cured can have a hardness of the order of 80D / 85D classifying it among the hardest materials such as those used for construction helmets which can withstand very significant shocks.
Apart from the mechanical and resistance characteristics, the technical sheets for epoxy resins provide you with information on their temperature resistance.
The situation is depend upon the high and low temperature. Because the temperature range data is essential for low and high temperatures.
