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Epoxy Resin appears to be popular with the hobbyists these days, as it is wonderfully versatile. Projects can include many smaller ideas like art or jewellery, but also caters for larger projects such as flooring and boat repairs. Numerous manufacturers produce a variety of different products, which makes it extremely difficult for you to choose the correct product for your particular project. The problem is even more of a challenge if you are looking to buy high-temperature epoxy.
Table of Contents
- 1 Is Epoxy Resin Heat Resistant?
- 2 What Temperatures can Resin Epoxy handle?
- 3 What is High Temp Epoxy Resin?
- 4 Temperature Limits for Epoxy
- 5 Best Brand for High Temperature Use: Stone Coat Epoxy
- 5.1 What makes Stone Coat Epoxy Resin so popular?
- 5.2 What to do when working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
- 5.3 Advantages of working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
- 5.4 Simple Steps to follow when working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
- 6 Reducing your Temperature Resistance
- 7 Tips to help you when working with Heat Resistant Epoxy Resin
Is Epoxy Resin Heat Resistant?
It is, but this type of resin is subject to certain conditions. Firstly, your plain or ordinary DIY Epoxy Resin, which is used mainly for smaller projects, begins to distort after it is subjected to high temperatures.
However, high-temperature epoxy resin is completely different. The high-temperature epoxy can withstand higher temperatures without any distortion and is usually used in environments where this is needed. You can also find various heat resistant resin products, which are freely available on the market for anybody to use. These products are made for smaller projects such as coasters, which are exposed to a certain amount of heat.
What Temperatures can Resin Epoxy handle?
The ordinary or basic epoxy will be able to withstand a temperature of between 150°F to 300° F (65°C to 149° C) but only for a short period. However, the heat resistant epoxy will be able to withstand extreme heat of 600° F (316° C), this, however, will be subject to the actual product as well as the manufacturer.
What is High Temp Epoxy Resin?
The heat resistant epoxy resin has been formulated for industrial applications but can also be used for larger projects, such as kitchen countertops. The industrial applications include electrical as well as mechanical repairs. The high-temperature epoxy resin is also used in the motor vehicle and aircraft industries. The high temp epoxy needs to be strong and should last long wherever a bonding agent, sealer or coating agent is needed.
Temperature Limits for Epoxy
When it comes to your standard DIY Epoxy, it can withstand only low heat temperatures between 68°F to 195° F (20°C to 90° C). Anything higher and the molecular structure will change, causing your epoxy to distort or soften. The epoxy will turn rubbery and lose its solid glass-like surface. For this reason, we recommend you use a potholder or coaster on your epoxy surfaces.
However, the high-temperature epoxy is different, as it is specifically made to withstand temperatures as high as 600° F (315°C). This does depend on the type of product as well as the manufacturer. The high-temperature epoxies are manufactured with added fillers such as quarts, or they are reinforced with elements like titanium, which allows them to withstand the high temperatures.
Best Brand for High Temperature Use: Stone Coat Epoxy
Depending on the type of surface you are going to coat, it may be necessary to use a product that can withstand heavy use, as well as resistance to heat. The brand, Stone Coat is an extremely popular high-temperature epoxy resin.
- High temperature Resin - Heat Resistant up to 500°F
- Crystal Clear and UV stable, zero VOC
- Cured in 24 hours, self leveling
Price: $95.00
What makes Stone Coat Epoxy Resin so popular?
This product helps make your DIY projects at home possible. When working with countertops or tabletops, this product creates amazing patterns and finishes. The Stone Coat Epoxy Resin can also be used on other surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom, any table, or surface you want to restore or renovate.
Pros
- The heat resistant epoxy resin is durable and also provides extra strength and stability.
- This epoxy is flame retardant.
- The resin leaves you with a spectacular polished finish.
- You can be assured of a perfectly level surface.
- The epoxy has been adapted and is, therefore, UV resistant.
- Also, this product is food safe and can be used in your kitchen.
Cons
- Some high-temperature epoxy resin when cured may leave a yellow tint. This is not good if you are looking for a polished clear finish.
- Some epoxy resins require added heating methods while curing. This adds extra time to the curing process.
- A High-Temperature Epoxy Resin may be more expensive.
What to do when working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
You should be able to find instructions and videos to follow, which will show you step-by-step how the entire process works. If you are busy doing a DIY project at home, the Stone Coat Epoxy Resin is perfect for you. The resin is not only an excellent product to use for DIY enthusiasts but is also used by designers and contractors with similarly impressive results. Take your old tabletops and countertops create something new, functional, and durable with an incredible finish. Take note that you can only pour a maximum depth of 1/8 inch (or 3 mm) per coat.
Advantages of working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
- Going to renovate your old tabletops or countertops? Why not do-it-yourself with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin and save a great deal of money.
- There is a training video that is easy to follow, which guides you through the whole process.
- The product is eco-safe.
- Stone Coat Epoxy Resin contains no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
- The finished product will give you a scratch-free, durable, and easy to clean surface.
- Your countertop or tabletop will be able to withstand temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) as it is heat resistant.
- The finish is non-porous and crystal clear.
Simple Steps to follow when working with Stone Coat Epoxy Resin
- You need to accurately measure your resin and your hardener in a 1:1 ratio.
- You must thoroughly mix your compounds for the time required, then add your colors and additives mixing thoroughly again.
- After applying the color coat, use a flat leveling tool and a blow torch or toothpick if you need to remove any bubbles.
- Allow 24 hours after applying the color coat, then apply your clear coat. Now, sand the surface using sandpaper and clean all the dust away using a wet cloth.
- The curing time for the complete job is around 7 days.
- Your countertop or tabletop is now ready for you to use and enjoy. All you need to do is regularly keep your surface clean and try not to scrub the surface.
Tip: To know how much epoxy resin, you require for your project make use of our epoxy calculator.
Reducing your Temperature Resistance
There are many ways to reduce the temperature resistance of your epoxy resin. First, be sure you stick to the mixing ratio, as any deviation can change the properties of your epoxy resin. This does not only apply to the mixing ratio; you also need to stick to the mixing time and follow any other instructions the manufacturer has provided.
When you need to add any other additives like inks or pigments, remember that this may automatically reduce your temperature resistance. To get around this, you need to add a clear top coat which will then enhance the heat resistant characteristics.
Tips to help you when working with Heat Resistant Epoxy Resin
As we have mentioned, to achieve the best results, you must adhere strictly to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Deviate in any way, and you will not have the desired finish or result. Make sure that you only mix enough resin to suit your project, this will help you to apply the resin in the time you need.
- Preparation is vital as time is critical during the entire process.
- Have your worktable the correct height so that you can avoid any back pains.
- Before you start on your project, use some Isopropyl Alcohol on a cloth and wipe your surface clean from any dust particles.
- To obtain accuracy when mixing your resin, use of a timer. This will allow you to come out with an even consistency.
- The temperature, as well as the humidity of your workspace, can affect the finished product. Cold temperatures can result in your epoxy having a sticky or tacky finish. If you want to reduce the possibility of this happening, it is recommended you warm your resin before you mix it with the hardener.
- If you are working on a fairly large flat surface and you want to get the epoxy resin evenly spread, make use of a levelling tool or trowel.
- During the process, if you make use of a paintbrush, ensure that it is of good quality to avoid any bristles being shed. You can make use of a dark paintbrush so that if any bristles are shed, you can see them easily take them out.
- Have air bubbles? Try and pop them using a toothpick or a blowtorch, but only for a few seconds. You need to hold the blowtorch about 20 cm from your workpiece to avoid the resin from dimpling. You also need to remember, that if you have added any alcohol inks to color your resin, it is not advisable to use a blowtorch to remove any bubbles. If you are finding it difficult to remove the bubbles, you can try a blow dryer that is set at its highest heat setting, however, this method takes much longer.
- Using a blowtorch? Start it a distance from your project to avoid any particles of dust blowing onto your work surface.
- When you have finished, let your resin project cure in a dust-free space.
- Remember, when you add powders or pigments to your resin, you are altering the molecular structure of the resin. This will reduce its heat resistance as well as its non-toxicity. Always finish your project by applying a clear top coat so that you will be able to put hot objects on it.
- Have some epoxy you want to clean up after you have finished? If it is still wet, you can use acetone on a clean cloth. But if it has already cured, on the floor or elsewhere, you will have to use your blowtorch to first heat it up and then use a screwdriver or flat trowel to scrape it off.
FAQs
What epoxy can withstand high temperatures? ›
Permatex®s 500 High Heat Epoxy is the first and only high temperature liquid syringe epoxy! Ideal for surface repairs with high temperatures such as under-hood automotive & home repair. This high temperature epoxy withstands 2X higher temperatures compared to standard epoxies that traditionally breakdown at 250°F.
What is the maximum temperature curing epoxy resin? ›Depending on the curing agent, epoxy resins can be used over the temperature range − 50 to 260 °C. Epoxy adhesives based on multifunctional resins can be used up to ~ Shear strengths will typically be between 35 and 70 MPa. Epoxy resins are generally limited to temperatures no higher than 175 °C.
What is the best heat-resistant resin for coasters? ›Best Heat-Resistant Resin for Coasters – STONE COAT Countertop Epoxy. When making coasters with resin, they will need to be able to withstand a certain degree of heat. This epoxy resin by Stone Coat offers a good level of heat-resistance to ensure more effective and durable coasters.
What is the temperature range for epoxy? ›We know that most epoxies perform well or, at least reach a higher percentage of their potential physical properties, at temperatures of 60°F and above. Some resin/hardener combinations are formulated to cure in temperatures as low as 35°F.
Is 2 part epoxy heat resistant? ›Conventional two component epoxy resists up to 80oC (175oF) where single component epoxy resists 180oC (355oF). New two component epoxies provide an alternative process which combines room temperature curing that is followed by heat curing after the epoxy has set.
What happens if epoxy gets too hot? ›High temperature can also result in severe cracking throughout the thickness of cured epoxy; so much so that if the epoxy were not supported, it could fall away. Shrinkage can introduce significant stresses into the structure the epoxy is attached to.
Can epoxy catch fire while curing? ›The chemical reaction that cures mixed epoxy is exothermic, or heat-generating. If left to cure in a contained mass such as in a mixing pot it can generate enough heat to melt plastic, burn your skin or ignite surrounding combustible materials.
Is a heat gun or torch better for resin? ›In short, YES a torch is the best tool to get rid of bubbles in epoxy resin. There are other methods, including poking with a pin or blowing through a straw, but these are slow and ineffective. A hair dryer or heat gun doesn't get hot enough to remove bubbles efficiently and can blow dust all over your wet resin.
Is there a heat resistant epoxy resin? ›The heat resistant epoxy resin has been formulated for industrial applications but can also be used for larger projects, such as kitchen countertops. The industrial applications include electrical as well as mechanical repairs. The high-temperature epoxy resin is also used in the motor vehicle and aircraft industries.
How do you make epoxy resin heat resistant? ›High heat epoxy, on the other hand, is specially formulated to withstand temperatures up to 315 °C (600° F), depending on the manufacturer and product. These types of epoxy products have added fillers like quarts or can be reinforced with things like titanium, which enables the epoxy to withstand high temperatures.
Can you put hot coffee cups on resin coasters? ›
It is not heat resistant, but it will take some heat. People have made coasters with it and it does take some heat from coffee cups. However above 65 degrees C it would/could start to soften. Most epoxy resin cannot take very hot cups/mugs.
Will epoxy crack in hot weather? ›While epoxy coatings themselves do not crack in extreme heat or cold, concrete does. Epoxy coatings cannot withstand the stresses associated with concrete cracks due to settling, dry shrinkage or other factors.
Is Gorilla epoxy heat resistant? ›Application in cold temperatures will slow the cure time of Gorilla Epoxy, while application in hot temperatures can speed up the cure time. Gorilla Epoxy's cured bond withstands temperatures ranging from -10° to 180°F.
Is JB Weld epoxy heat resistant? ›Product Details
J-B Weld HighHeat is a 2-part epoxy system that provides strong, lasting, heat-resistant repairs up to 550°F. Mixed at a ratio of 1:1, it forms a permanent bond that has a 4730 psi strength and is chemical and fuel resistant. At room temperature, HighHeat sets in 1-hour and cures in 24-hours.
When done right, epoxy countertops provide a long-lasting and durable surface. Their non-porous nature means they're resistant to moisture. The material is also resistant enough to heat, although you still need to use common sense and not place hot pots and pans on it.
Why is my epoxy bubbling and smoking? ›You look over and see your epoxy resin smoking or maybe your mixing cup melted. When you mix Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener) together new chemical bonds begin to form causing an epoxy exothermic reaction. Energy is released in the form of heat as the mixture catalyzes.
What happens if you pour epoxy too thick? ›If your epoxy pour is too thick, the reaction can create too much heat, resulting in a product that does not cure properly with cracks or excessive bubbles. You can pour the next layer after the previous pour has gone through its heat cycle, which is usually around 24 hours.
Can epoxy resin melt after cured? ›With the buildup of all this heat it can cause cured epoxy to crack. This uncontrolled heat is called an uncontrolled exothermic reaction or “exotherm”. This uncontrolled heating can cause excessive foam, vapor, and even smoke, that can cause the container it's in to smoke, melt, and even catch nearby items on fire.
What happens if epoxy gets wet before it cures? ›Abstract. The effects of water on uncured epoxies and epoxy composites are studied. Experiments show that water causes an increase in the cure rate of epoxy materials at low degrees of cure and a decrease in cure rate and total cure at high degrees of cure.
Can you use a hair dryer as a heat gun for resin? ›Now that you've learned that you'll need a heat gun or torch for fluid painting and for resin/epoxy, let's talk about what other tools you can use instead. It should be clear by now that a hair dryer won't replace a heat gun when it comes to popping bubbles in your acrylic paint or resin!
How long after pouring epoxy do you torch? ›
After the resin and hardener is mixed and poured, wait about two minutes. Then, to remove any air bubbles, use an artist's torch, heat gun, kitchen torch, lighter, toothpick, or straw to remove bubbles. (Keep checking over the next 1-2 hours to make sure that additional bubbles do not appear.)
What heat gun should I use for resin? ›Epoxy Heat Gun
This highly recommended tool enables you to remove air bubbles from your epoxy coating as it cures. Long-lasting: A durable body design for long term use. Note: Substituting a hair dryer will not work, as it blows too much air and does not get hot enough.
Application in cold temperatures will slow the cure time of Gorilla Epoxy, while application in hot temperatures can speed up the cure time. Gorilla Epoxy's cured bond withstands temperatures ranging from -10° to 180°F.
How hot can Gorilla epoxy get? ›WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE RANGE FOR GORILLA EPOXY? Gorilla Epoxy can be applied between 10°C to 37°C. Once cured, Gorilla Epoxy can hold strong between -23°C to 82°C.