Is Casting Resin The Same As Epoxy Resin?

When it comes to compounds used in a vast array of industries because of their bonding strength and moldability, epoxy resin and casting resin are easy choices.

They’re typically very versatile and can be utilised on and on most surfaces. At the same time, to maximise their efficiency, they’re best suited for specific material types.

The market is full of different types of resin. You will find Epoxy Coating Resin, Polyester Resin, Casting Resin, and the list can be endless. Some resins need a longer time to cure, while others need low viscosity.

Again, some resins can be used in a 1:1 ratio, while others require a more elaborate mixing ratio and catalyst. Pouring too much of your resin will result in yellowing or cracking.

A small mistake with resin will end up in a ruined project! So, it is better to have a clear idea before you set out with your little project. To be on the safe side, you can consider.

But, if you want to take matters into your hands, you must know the difference between epoxy resin and casting resin. Are you thinking if the epoxy resin is the same as casting resin? This article will walk you through all the answers you need to know if the two varieties of resin are the same.

Finding The Difference Between Epoxy Resin And Casting Resin

Each type of resin has different purposes of use. Trying to differentiate between the two is not how you find your answers. It is so because both resins have their blend type and many similarities.

That is why these two are sometimes used interchangeably.

However, the main difference lies in what they are used for. Casting resin is used for thicker applications for moulds jewellery, while epoxy is used for coating purposes.

Many aspects like cure time, viscosity, and many more set these two apart. Let us take a more in-depth look into these aspects:

What Makes Them Different?

Every beginner seeking to indulge in this wonderfully creative outlet should take a moment to learn the difference between the two main systems of epoxy resin: Casting Resin and Table Top Epoxy.

There are many factors that define the systems that make Casting Resin and Table Top Epoxy different – and they are all in direct relation to each other. These varying characteristics are:

• Cure Time
• Viscosity
• Working Time
• Pour Depth (Intended Maximum)
• Mix Ratio
• UV Resistance
• Heat Tolerance
• Hardness

Cure time: 

Epoxy resin is faster than casting resin. Casting resin takes up to 30 to 50 minutes to cure, while epoxy needs around 10 to 25 minutes to fix.

• Casting Resins can take multiple days to cure, usually about 36 to 48 hours, and it can take as long as 18 hours to gel. While these times ultimately depend on the manufacturer, they are due to the thin pour stream of the liquid resin. Meaning: the low density of the mixture requires a longer time to complete the chemical reaction that generates the heat needed to cure. This same characteristic allows for thick casts to be poured at once.
• Table Top Epoxy takes significantly less time, gelling in a matter of 30 minutes in most cases. A full cure can take as little as 12 hours or just one day. The thicker pour of this epoxy resin allows for more heat to be generated in a shorter amount of time than Casting Resin. Unfortunately, this is why it is necessary to pour this product into very thin layers. Otherwise, the product will generate too much heat and possibly form unsightly flaws like cracks and bubbles.

Heat

Casting resin discharges heat slower than epoxy. Thus, pouring too thick a layer of epoxy could heat up, and cracks will begin to appear.

Work Time 

Please do not confuse it with cure time. It refers to the period before the resin starts to set up, and beyond this time, you cannot move the resin quickly. Casting resin has a much longer working time than epoxy resin.

This is because casting resin has a longer cure time. Epoxy resins will be set up quickly in 20 minutes, and casting resins may take up to 18 hours to gel.

• Casting Resin has a longer working time, evident in its slow cure time. The mixture needs much longer for the entire chemical reaction to complete – meaning it takes a long time from the moment it is mixed to the time it is hardened. So, this gives you a long window of time to mix parts A and B together, add colourants, pour into different moulds, and so on. You don’t have to be particularly worried about your liquid mixture solidifying before you have it poured out.
• Table Top Epoxy has a shorter working time, which means it also has a shorter curing time. Compared to Casting Resin, curing the moment the resin (part A) is mixed with the hardener (part B). So, you best be mindful of how long you have your mixed epoxy in the mixing container, or else it will gel and become hard to move before you even have it poured! However, a possible workaround would be using Table Top Epoxy in colder ambient temperatures as this would slow the chemical reaction and generation of heat.
•     For reference, working time can also be called “pot time” or even “gel time” because it refers to the amount of time you have to work with the liquid epoxy in the mixing container – or pot – before it gets to the first stage of hardening.

Pour Depth (Intended Maximum)

The epoxy resin may need up to 1.8 to 1.4 inches per application, and casting resin will require more. The accelerated reaction will begin if you pour more than the required pour depth.

• Casting Resin is used for making casts with moulds. This sometimes requires a deep pour. Because of Casting Resin’s thin viscosity, it is able to be poured quite a few inches deep because it won’t generate too much heat. In this ability, some experienced epoxy artists use Casting Resin for pouring fewer, thicker layers for projects like river tables and decorative bar tops with encased items.
• Table Top Epoxy is used for coating flat surfaces like tabletops, countertops, and bar tops. Because of Table Top Epoxy’s thick viscosity, it should be poured in thin, individual layers between ⅛ and ¼ inches. Table Top Epoxy should never be poured in thicker layers than what is recommended in the instructions, or else the thick epoxy can overheat and cause imperfections.
• Important Note: Let each layer set for 4 hours – no more than 10. This timing ensures that this previous layer will be cured enough to set the layer but chemically soft enough to bond with the next layer.

Viscosity

Casting Resin is thinner when compared to epoxy resin. Epoxy has a more runny consistency.

• Casting Resin is designed to have a thinner viscosity. This gives the resin a low-density mixture and a thin pour stream. This makes it the perfect resin to use with moulds to make casts, as the thin liquid will surely take the shape of the finest details. If used in place of Table Top Epoxy for a flat project like a countertop, beware of its thinness as it will run quickly across the surface and likely spill over the sides of the project isn’t properly set in a built dam.
• Table Top Epoxy has a much thicker viscosity. This results in a higher density of reactive product per cubic inch of poured liquid. And because of this, Table Top Epoxy has a thicker pour stream and a shorter curing time. This makes it ideal for pouring simple flat planes like river tables and countertops.

Scratch Resistance 

Epoxy resin has a superior scratch resistance to casting resins.

Bubbles

Bubbles are fun, but not when it comes to resins.

Even though both resins are vulnerable to bubbles, casting resins shows fewer bubbles as it is thinner. However, with proper application, you can avoid the problem with bubbles.

Mix Ratio

This is a highly generalised aspect of both varieties of resin. Casting resins generally use mixing ratios as 3:1, 2:1, and 1:1. On the other hand, epoxies use a 1:1 by volume mixture. However, the mixing variation depends on the project you are working on.

• Casting Resin typically has a small, simplified ratio, like 3 or 2 to 1. This means that when mixing, you’ll use three times as much of part A as you will of part B. But the simplicity of the ratio allows you to decide the volume without a lot of complicated maths (for example, a 3:1 ratio could be 15 ounces of part A and 5 ounces of part B.)
• Table Top Epoxy typically comes in the easiest ratio, 1:1. This means that you will use equal amounts of both part A and B (for example, 15 ounces of part A and 15 ounces of part B.)
• All ratios vary by manufacturer, but both systems are available in simple ratios like 1:1. However, you must always follow the instructions and measure each part accordingly using labelled containers. Inaccurate measurements will result in imperfections and epoxy that will not cure.

Hardness 

In most cases, t is harder than casting resin. But, again, it is because of the varied mix ratios of casting resin.

Other Notable Differences

• Casting Resin is usually a thinner viscosity, so it allows bubbles to escape easier. However, because Table Top Epoxy has a thicker viscosity, it is less likely to form bubbles when mixed and poured steadily and slowly. Keep in mind this careful preparation method is still highly recommended for all projects.
• Table Top Epoxy usually has a better ability to withstand scratches. This makes it more suitable for coating projects like desktops and countertops that will get the most physical contact.

Other Notable Commonalities

• Both can be UV Resistant. This means the system was manufactured by design to resist the harmful and inescapable UV rays of the sun. The effects of which would become more visible as time passes. However, most manufacturers will instruct you to keep your epoxy resin projects away from prolonged direct sun exposure regardless of their claimed resistance.
• Both can be heat sensitive. Epoxy resins designed to withstand very high heat are typically more expensive than the small scale systems used for DIY projects. Most small-scale systems will produce cured epoxy that will begin to soften and lose shape at temperatures as low as 120-150 degrees. Be sure to read manufacturers’ notes when considering an epoxy resin for a project that will be used in contact with heat (for example, coasters, dinnerware, tabletops, hot beverage containers.)

What Is Epoxy Resin?

It’s a strain of reactive compound that, through curing and polymerization, allows them to have a high level of bonding capability once in contact with different fibres.

“Epoxy resin” often refers to both categories of cured and uncured. Its nature is exothermic, and it’s because of this that it’s possible to induce it between room-to-elevated core temperatures.

Advantages

Resilience

Epoxy resin, once cured, is relatively superior in toughness, especially its rubber-modified version. It also provides excellent adhesion, is resistant to electrical resistance, and has low shrinkage. This implies that its cohesion and adhesive strength remain stable when exposed to varying temperatures.

Substrate Adhesion

At the same time, its curing potential can be made compliant with certain fabricating processes. Moreover, internal stress can be significantly minimised, thus, emphasising its characteristic of adhesive-potency.

Chemical Stability

Aside from having a strength grade better than other similar materials, epoxy resin is known for its chemical stability. It’s resistant to several elements such as acids, alkaline, and solvents and retains its integrity to prevent corrosion.

Use

Epoxy resin is a frequently relied-on adhesive in the construction, engineering, and electronics industries. Although these are given, the reality is that they can be applied in a diverse range of fields. Manufactured plastics, adhesives, paints and primers, flooring, and sealers are only some by-products wherein the epoxy resin is intended. This type of resin is also a good supplement for material reinforcing.

What Is Resin Casting?

In its simple definition, casting is the pouring process of a liquified material into a moulder or a moulding cavity. Said liquified material is, more often than not, preheated at extreme temperatures and, as it sets and cools, becomes an entirely new object on the basis of the mould it contours in and around. It’s unlike any other moulding or casting technique because casting resin uniquely employs a special kind of synthetic resin.

Advantage 

Manoeuvrability

Casting resin’s manoeuvrability, it’s possible to pour it in mould cavities that are complex and intricate in design. Additionally, it has low directional components, allowing it to cool more uniformly compared to other moulding substances.

Thin Consistency 

Apart from its thin consistency being directly associated with its manoeuvrability, it’s this variable that permits convenient layering and paint and colour-mixing.

Use

Due to its low viscosity and lengthy curing period, its approach is suited for small to medium-scale projects. In addition, it’s fairly undemanding in terms of manoeuvering the liquid synthetic material itself into specialised moulds. For this very reason, dental components, industrial prototypes, and even decorating supply-makers all find casting resin reliable for casting applications. Still, casting resin isn’t limited to merely these.

On Casting Resin vs Table Top Epoxy

The most obvious difference between Casting Resin and Table Top Epoxy is the project application or designed purpose.

Casting Resin

As the name suggests, it is used to make casts in moulds. Typically, this is used for pouring into moulds of varying thickness and shape to make things like jewellery and paperweights.

Table Top Epoxy 

It is used for coating surfaces, hence the “tabletop” label. This type of epoxy resin should be poured in layers between 1/8″ and 1/4″. It is possible to use either system for a project other than its specially designed purpose. However, the results are often largely flawed and unusable.

Guidelines To Help Achieve Your Epoxy Resin Goals Every Time:

Follow The Instructions. 

Read them multiple times, so you have absolutely no doubt about what you’re doing. Intentional or not, deviating from instructions is the most common cause for imperfections. Also, not all instructions across all brands are the same; keep this in mind. Because of this, you also shouldn’t mix brands.

Use Accurate Measurements. 

Making that perfect ratio of part A resin to part B hardener is the first step. Get this wrong, and the project will fail, even if you do everything else perfect.

Mix Thoroughly. 

Even if your measurements of added parts A and B are correct, they still have to be mixed correctly in order to work properly. In every drop, there must be an accurate ratio. Use a flat mixing stick to better scrape the sides, bottom, and edges of the mixing container or bucket. Try to minimise the amount of air you incorporate, as well.

Only Prepare What You Need To Use When You’re Ready To Use It. 

Don’t prepare your epoxy resin mixture until you’re ready to pour your project! Once mixed, the chemical reaction will start, and so too will your resin start to harden. Don’t mix too early, or your resin will harden before you pour it!

Before Pouring, Always Level Your Piece. 

This ensures reliable, even results.

Pour Thinner Layers. 

You’re sure to have learned by now that epoxy is a temperamental thing. While this means increasing the number of pours, it also means greatly reducing the risk of a thick layer overheating and forming imperfections. So we say the extra effort is worth it.

Slightly Reduce The Temperature Of The Working Environment. 

Epoxy is meant to be poured at about room temperature, and we don’t recommend lowering it below 65 degrees. However, whatever the temperature, do your best to keep it stable and consistent. Temperature fluctuations disrupt the temperamental curing process and can leave imperfections like uneven dimples or cracks.

Use Clean Supplies. 

Make sure everything is clean and dry. Any dirt or water will contaminate and disrupt the curing process, leaving imperfections.

Use A Short And Wide Cylindrical Container For Preparing The Resin And Hardener; this Makes Thorough Mixing Easier And Reduces The Heat Build Up In Epoxy.

This is in substitute to a taller, narrower, cylindrical container.

With The Perfectly Smooth Finish In Mind, Be Sure To Cover Your Piece. 

Find a way to prevent dust and debris from contaminating the epoxy surface during working and curing.

Use Deep Pour Coating Epoxy For Layers. 

This will help avoid layers overheating when accidentally poured too thick.

Summary

These terms have been used so frequently in the same conversations. It almost feels as though they are used interchangeably. Well, liquid resin is a malleable substance, and the added adjective “epoxy” means this resin will solidify completely. Epoxy Resin comes in two-part systems which manufacturers have specially designed and labelled for different projects. So while Casting Resin and Table Top Epoxy are used for different things, they are both still Epoxy Resin. The real difference lies in the characteristics that make these systems unique from each other.

FAQs Epoxy Resin & Casting Resin

Can You Use Epoxy Resin For Casting?

When should you use epoxy casting resin? Casting resins are excellent for the times you need to fill an open space deeper than 1/8 inch. You can pour the resin in thick layers (sometimes up to 2 inches deep), and they cure hard and durable. Epoxy resins are meant for coating applications, whereas casting resins are meant for casting applications such as moulds, figurines, & jewellery. However, that is not to say that either would not work for their opposite intended uses, but more on that later.

What Is The Difference Between Epoxy Resin And Resin?

The main difference between both adhesive types is the drying time. Both epoxy and resin adhesives require mixing before use, but epoxy hardens much faster than resin glue. Resin glues take longer to cure, about 8-10 hours, while epoxy adhesive only takes about 6-30 minutes. Epoxy is a type of adhesive or glue that is made up of two different compounds – epoxide and resin. The epoxide compound is the hardener, while the resin is the binder. When these two compounds are combined, they create a strong, durable bond.

What Is The Difference Between Epoxy And Casting Resin?

Casting resin is an epoxy resin with a very low viscosity. Thanks to its thin consistency, it is a particularly useful type of epoxy resin. It must be noted. However, the thin consistency does increase the overall drying time. Casting resin can fill a hollow area or void in a piece made of wood or other materials. The most obvious difference between the two is the intended use. Epoxy resins are meant for coating applications, whereas casting resins are meant for casting applications such as moulds, figurines, & jewellery. However, that is not to say that either would not work for their opposite intended uses, but more on that later.

Can I Use Epoxy Instead Of Resin?

There are other sustainable alternatives to resin. For example, Ecopoxy is a bio-based, plant-based epoxy “resin” specifically (and sustainably) made for woodworking. Other resin substitutes include hard plaster or concrete (if you’re casting), alabaster, slush latex, or metal. Technically, there is no difference because epoxy is a resin. However, three different resins are commonly deployed in DIY projects: epoxy resin, casting resin, and polyester resin, each with unique properties. Also important to note epoxy resin and epoxy glue are different products.

Which Is Better: UV Resin Or Epoxy Resin?

UV resin is best for small, intricate pieces that need to be cured quickly. Epoxy is better for larger pieces or when more time is needed to cure the piece. Epoxy also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than UV resin, making it stronger overall. However, epoxy can yellow over time while UV resin will not. The durability of UV resin is limited to half a year. Furthermore, it is neither heat- nor scratch-resistant. Epoxy resin is the best option for a durable, long-lasting result that is also aesthetically pleasing for a long period of time.

Are epoxy floors a good idea?

Extremely safe – Epoxy is a very safe coating for your hard floors. It’s slip resistant, shock resistant, and less abrasive than concrete and other types of industrial flooring. It’s also water resistant, and will protect your floor from any spills, including harsh chemicals that would harm other types of floor.

What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?

Cons of Epoxy Flooring

• Strong Application Fumes. During the epoxy application process, wet epoxy gives off an unpleasant smell. …
• Long Curing Time. …
• Slippery When Wet. …
• Economical Flooring Choice. …
• Resistant to Damage. …
• Weather-withstanding. …
• Aesthetically Pleasing. …
• Protects and Decreases Wear & Tear.

How long do epoxy floors last?

10 to 20 years   Long-Lasting, Environmentally-Friendly Floors Epoxy floors typically last 10 to 20 years and can last even longer with the proper maintenance and touch-ups. When it finally comes time to replace your floor, there will be no need for removal, and no need to throw away your old flooring.