What is epoxy? Questions and answers

Epoxy is a versatile and popular material used in everything from knife making and crafts to flooring and art. But what exactly is epoxy, and why has it become so popular?

What is epoxy?

Epoxy is a type of polymer that consists of two components: a resin and a hardener. When these are mixed together, a chemical reaction begins that causes the mixture to bond, harden, and become a strong, durable material. Epoxy is used in many different industries and hobbies because of its versatility, durability, and resistance to chemicals and water.

Epoxy often comes in two forms: casting epoxy and epoxy for bonding and sealing. At Storbua you will find a varied selection of epoxy for both small and large projects.

What can you use epoxy for?

Epoxy can be used in a variety of different projects, from large industrial applications to smaller hobby projects. Here are some of the most common uses:

Epoxy for knife making

For knife makers, epoxy is an indispensable tool when it comes to attaching the knife blade to the handle. Epoxy acts as an extremely strong adhesive that ensures the knife blade is securely and firmly attached. We recommend G -flex epoxy , which is considered the world's best adhesive for knife handles, and can glue almost anything.

But epoxy is not just glue. Casting epoxy can be used to make the shaft itself too, with all the colors in the world or with molded-in things!

How to lay epoxy floors?

Epoxy is also a popular choice for a durable floor surface, a type of floor covering, especially in garages and industrial buildings. Floors made with epoxy are not only durable, but they also provide a smooth and shiny surface that is easy to clean. The process of laying epoxy floors involves careful preparation, proper mixing and controlled. However, we do not deal with floors here at Storbua, we focus on epoxy as glue and epoxy as art.

Epoxy as glue

Epoxy is often used as an adhesive due to its extreme strength, exceptional ability to bond to other materials, and its durability. In addition to knife making, epoxy is ideal for bonding wood, metal, glass, and plastic. There are many different types of epoxy for bonding, and it is important to choose the right type for your project. Check out what may be the world's best epoxy adhesive to find the perfect solution.

Epoxy as art

Epoxy has also found its place in the art world, where it is used to create beautiful, glossy surfaces on paintings, colorful jewelry, exquisite tabletops, kitchen countertops and much more. Epoxy can be mixed with dyes, glitter and other additives to create unique works of art with deep colors or 3D effects. Explore our range of epoxy products to get started with your epoxy projects.

What is resin?

Resin, also known as gesso, is one of the two components of epoxy. Resin is a liquid substance that, when combined with a hardener, transforms together with the hardener into a solid plastic.

What are hardeners?

The hardener, which is mixed with the resin, is the part of the epoxy system that makes the whole thing go from liquid to solid. Epoxies are often very picky about mixing ratios, so it is important to use the correct amount of hardener in relation to resin, and mix well. When the hardener is mixed into the resin, the reaction starts immediately. It is therefore important to choose the hardener speed that suits your project. A fast epoxy that cures in 15 minutes is not suitable for anything other than thin layers and bonding. An epoxy that is to be cast in larger volumes of several liters or in a thickness of more than a couple of centimeters should have a curing time of 72 hours.

Advantages of epoxy

Epoxy has many advantages, which make it a preferred material in a variety of applications. Some of the advantages include:

Durability: Epoxy is highly durable and resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and water, making it a perfect choice for demanding projects.

Flexibility: Epoxy can be used on many different materials such as wood, metal, plastic and glass.

Aesthetics: Epoxy provides a clear and glossy finish that is ideal for both art and decorative purposes.

Water and chemical resistant: It can usually withstand moisture and exposure to chemicals without compromising quality.

How to use epoxy?

To work with epoxy, you need to follow some basic steps to achieve the best result.

1. Preparations: Make sure the surface you are going to apply epoxy to, or the mold you are going to cast in, is clean and free of grease and dust.
2. Mixing ratio: As mentioned, epoxy consists of two components, and it is important to mix these in the correct ratio. We recommend mixing based on weight if you can. For example, 100 grams of resin and 43 grams of hardener if the mixing ratio is 100:43. For volume, the calculation is apparently easier, but it is not as easy to be completely precise, especially on smaller mixtures. Always check the mixing ratio for YOUR product. Are you struggling to calculate the volume for epoxy ? Try our volume calculator
3. Application: Remember to wear protective equipment such as goggles, gloves and other skin coverings. Good ventilation is necessary, or a mask with a bio-/vapour filter . After mixing the epoxy, empty the epoxy where you want it and avoid spilling. For large quantities, avoid leaving the mixed epoxy in the bucket for a long time, as heat can develop.
4. Curing time: Allow the epoxy to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. This can take anywhere from an hour to several days, depending on the temperature and thickness of the layer.

Summary

Epoxy is an incredibly versatile material that can be used for everything from knife making to art. Epoxy is durable, versatile and can produce stunning visual results, making it a popular choice for artists, both professional and hobbyist. At The Great Hall We supply a wide range of epoxy products, tools and accessories that can help you with your projects, whether you are involved in knife making, furniture making, art or interior design projects.

Want to try it yourself? Check out ourepoxy selection or follow us on Instagram for inspiration!