Polyester or epoxy, which resin should I use?
Lamination of a polyurethane (PU) mouse pad = polyester resin is generally used, but lamination is technically also possible with epoxy resin, of your choice.
Lamination of a blank of polystyrene foam (EPS) = lamination only possible with epoxy resin. Polyester resin would melt your EPS foam blank!Few readersDifferent SILMAR polyester resins, which one to choose?
SIL249-BLH resin is very effective for use with conventional PMEK catalyst and for laminating colorless boards. The bluish optical brightener it contains makes your board appear whiter.
The same goes for SIL249-BB resin containing more optical brightener for a “whiter than white” result.
Prefer the “classic” SIL249-A resin in the case of use with the addition of pigments (tinted resins), or in the case where you have chosen to work with a UV catalyst
youtube Silmar Polyester resin (g85CWPPopularI want to make a board with polyester resin, but I'm not sure what additives I need.
To harden (= polymerize), polyester resin requires a catalyst. You can choose to use two types of catalysts: a liquid PMEK catalyst (classic), or a UV catalyst which allows you to increase your working time since the polymerization will only take place when your board is presented in the rays of the sun.
The PMEK catalyst is generally preferred. It allows rapid polymerization of the polyester resin. Depending on the ambient temperature of your work room - never below 16 degrees, and preferablFew readersI work with epoxy resin, what sanding additive is recommended?
Playing the same role as paraffinized styrene added to polyester resin, our EP217 additive allows more efficient surface sanding, with less clogging of your abrasives, on a more flexible working base. Add approximately 4% EP217 solution to your epoxy resin during the “hot-coat” step
Please note, styrenes are dedicated to polyester resin; under no circumstances should they be used with epoxy resin.Few readersHow much resin to prepare for lamination? For a “hot coat”?
This table shows the quantities needed (with polyester resin and epoxy resin) depending on the stage and the size of the board. To be safe, you can slightly increase the quantities indicated.
Polyester
< 6' < 7'6" 8' |
Epoxy
< 6' < 7'6" 8' |Few readersHow much pigment should I mix with the resin?
It all depends on the opacity you want.
An opaque pigment can appear translucent if you mix it in small doses.
We advise you to carry out preliminary tests on a piece of foam blank.
Caution: the dilution of the pigment with the resin must never exceed 3% of the total volume to allow polymerization.Few readers