Select The Resin Formulas That Suit
Your Jewelry Making Needs
There are a number of resin formulas that can be used for jewelry making. The main ones are epoxy, polyurethane and polyester.
Each of the casting resins have different properties, such as setting time, types of casting, mixture ratio between resin and hardener are some of the factors to be considered. Once you aware of these factors you can then decide which suits your needs.
Two popular kits for making resin jewelry are EasyCast and Ice Resin, which are used by many jewelry makers and are easy to use with 1:1 mixing ratio.
The other resin formulas are as follows:
Epoxy Resin
Widely available, this resin comes as adhesives, coatings, and as a casting resin.
Epoxy Adhesive
Available in hardware and craft stores. It is a two-part system that is usually packaged in a dual tube dispenser.
Once dispensed it is thoroughly mixed, applied and left to cure as per the makers’ instructions.
Widely used by home jewelry makers to attach pin backs, pendant bails and to carry out small repairs.
Epoxy Coating
Sold in craft in hobby stores in larger containers than the adhesive. It is a pouring resin with a longer curing time than the adhesive.Being clear and with a glass like finish it is commonly used to coat tabletops.
It is self-leveling and can be used on many jewelry items. It works very well in coating pictures or other items in small jewelry frames.
It can be colored in a number of different ways.
Epoxy Casting Resin
This is specially formulated for casting in molds and makes rigid solid objects. It is a good resin for making jewelry items.
Many brands on the market can be easily colored, tinted or have other compounds added.
They should not be used for casting large objects; this is not usually a problem with small jewelry items.
Air bubbles can sometimes appear and can be removed with a gentle application of heat from a heat gun. Blowing gently on the surface can also remove bubbles.
Polyurethane Casting Resin
Used for general purpose casting such as the making of figurines and miniatures polyurethane is generally easy to work with.
It usually has a simple mix ratio and can cure very quickly. Sensitive to moisture, hardening can be retarded if moisture is present.
With the right type of release agent it can be poured into practically any type of mold material.
Polyurethane can also be colored or accept fillers.
Polyester Casting Resin
Polyester resin is a fast setting product that will produce rock hard, crystal clear thick or thin pieces.
Unlike other resins adding a small amount of catalyst that is carefully measured by volume activates it. The wrong amount will result in a casting that cracks or remains tacky.
Companion dyes and pigments can be purchased for adding to these products.
Extra care must be taken when working with polyester casting chemicals as they are quite toxic and can be harmful to your health.
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