castresin

Cast resin, also known as casting resin, is a liquid polymer that cures to a solid when mixed with a hardening agent. It is used to reproduce objects, encapsulate items, or produce solid pieces for art, jewelry, prototyping, and manufacturing. The main families are epoxy resins, polyester resins, and polyurethane resins. Epoxy resins offer high strength, excellent clarity, and strong adhesion, but can be more expensive and slower to cure. Polyester resins are typically cheaper and cure quickly but may emit strong odors and yellow with age. Polyurethane resins provide a wide range of properties, from rigid to flexible, with fast curing times, and can be formulated for various stiffness and impact resistance.

Cast resins are typically two-part systems consisting of a resin and a hardener or catalyst, and may include pigments, fillers, or thickening additives. Curing can occur at ambient temperature or with heat, and some systems allow post-curing to improve temperature resistance. Molds for casting are commonly made from silicone, polyurethane, or metal, chosen to capture fine details and enable easy demolding. After curing, cast resin pieces are often post-processed by trimming, sanding, and polishing. Clear resins are popular for jewelry, river tables, and art pieces, while opaque resins are used for sculptures and functional parts.

Safety considerations include adequate ventilation and protective gear, as certain components can cause skin irritation or sensitization and may emit fumes. Disposal and waste handling should follow local regulations for hazardous materials.