Hi, I'm Sherry from Fibre Glast.
In this video, we'll look at the role of resin in making composites,
the resins we have at fibreglast.com,
and the differences among them.
Composites are a combination of
fiber reinforcement and resin.
The physical properties of Composites are fiber dominant,
meaning that the performance of finished parts
is more like that of reinforcement.
So what role does resin play?
Resin begins as a liquid that,
when catalyzed, cures to a solid.
When combined with reinforcement,
it serves two basic purposes for the composite.
First, it holds reinforcement together
and helps it conform to a desired shape.
Second, it helps to transfer mechanical loads
from fibers of the reinforcement
to the entire part.
There are three main types of resins
used to make composite parts and molds:
polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy.
At fibreglast.com, we carry a selection of all three.
Each resin has benefits and drawbacks
that you should consider before beginning
any composite project.
Let's take a look at the options:
Polyester is the most widely used resin in the industry.
Polyester resins are generally the least expensive
and the easiest to use.
They are the most tolerant of temperature
and humidity variations during mixing
and the wet-out process.
They are forgiving when catalyzed and cure quickly.
However, polyester resin does not
deliver the physical strength of epoxy resin
and is not as corrosive resistant as vinyl ester resin.
At fibreglast.com,
you'll find several options for polyester resin,
including polyester gel coats.
Vinyl ester resin is formulated
for maximum corrosion resistance
to most fuels, vapors, and chemicals.
It has excellent impact strength
and high tensile elongation.
That means it's slightly more flexible
compared to other resins
while still producing parts that are hard and rigid.
Vinyl ester is commonly used in marine applications
as well as in building and repairing chemical storage tanks
because it resists water absorption and corrosion.
It also has a low viscosity,
so it's easy to pour, and frequently used for resin infusion.
Keep in mind, vinyl ester has a more limited,
three-month shelf life,
so it should only be purchased on a project-to-project basis.
Epoxy resin is typically the highest strength resin in the industry.
It offers the strongest bond with reinforcement
and allows for construction of the lightest parts
and most durable molds.
Epoxy resin is typically chosen for its excellent
mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
When properly cured,
it also offers good chemical and heat resistance
and extremely low shrinkage.
It is preferred for many applications
in aerospace,
automotive and racing,
military and defense,
and sporting goods. Compared to other resins, however,
epoxy resins are generally more expensive.
They require more precision when mixing
and are much more sensitive to moisture and temperature
variance during layup.
Once cured, they are also more likely
to yellow with UV exposure,
so, a protective top coat is recommended
for outdoor applications.
Before starting any project,
select the resin
that's best for your part
based on these same considerations,
including service conditions and desired characteristics
for your finished part.
All the resins at fibreglast.com are intended to be used
to make hard laminate parts,
and they're all first quality guaranteed.
With first quality resins from fibreglast.com,
you don't have to worry about variations.
from batch to batch.
You can expect the same color, viscosity, laminating,
and strength properties each time you order.
Learn even more by reading
the article about resins in the Learning Center
at fibreglast.com.
To learn more about specific resins
and to see our entire selection,
visit our product pages
and watch our product spotlight videos.
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