Epoxy Resins

Epoxy resins are two-component systems that, when mixed together, create a hard, durable, and chemically resistant casting. Thanks to their high strength, adhesion, and dimensional stability, they are used in a wide range of applications – from designer furniture making and river tables, to epoxy art and resin jewelry, as well as lamps, clocks, serving boards and other decorative and functional castings.

Every project can look different – that’s why epoxy systems are designed with various levels of viscosity, curing time, clarity, and even UV stability. To achieve the desired appearance, the resin can be easily colored with compatible pigments (powder, alcohol inks, metallic pigments), allowing you to create unique color effects tailored to your style.

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Types of Epoxy Resins by Application

Epoxy resins differ in viscosity, curing time, clarity, and strength. Choosing the right type of resin is crucial for the success of any project. Below you’ll find an overview of the most common categories to help you with your selection.

✔️ Casting Epoxy Resins (Casting Resin)

Designed for clear and deep castings. Suitable for making:

• epoxy tables and river tables,
• doors and bed headboards,
• clocks, lamps, and decorative castings,
• jewelry and serving boards.

Casting resins have low viscosity, a long working time, and very high clarity.

🌈 Special (Effect) Resins

Developed for creative work where you need greater control over pigmentation and the ability to build up multiple layers:

• epoxy paintings and geode art,
• repeated pouring of thin layers,
• fast resins for post-processing finished pieces,
• high-strength systems for wood repairs.

🪵 Penetrating Resins

Used to seal pores in the material, most often in wood. They minimize the formation of bubbles during casting and create an adhesion bridge for subsequent layers.

💎 Resins for Surface Coats (Table Top, Coating)

Designed to create a thin, clear, and durable surface coat. Most common uses:

• coffee tables and dining tables,
• wooden panels and decorations,
• clocks and protective top coats.

They excel in their self-leveling properties, clarity, and often also UV stabilization.

🪚 Stabilizing Epoxy Resins

Used to reinforce damaged or soft wood. They allow the production of:

• premium stabilized wood,
• knife handles,
• jewelry,
• golf club handles,
• exclusive pens.

🧱 Floor Resins

Special casting systems for creating decorative poured floors and 3D clear surfaces. They provide high resistance to chemicals, UV radiation, and mechanical wear.

🧵 Laminating Resins

Low-viscosity, two-component systems designed for laminating composite materials. They are used in technologies such as:

• hand lay-up,
• filament winding,
• RTM / RIM / SCRIMP,
• vacuum infusion.

They are ideal for producing moulds, models, and structural composites.

How to Choose the Right Epoxy Resin? Watch the Key Parameters

Not every epoxy resin is suitable for every type of project. To achieve the best possible result, it’s important to understand the technical properties of a specific resin and evaluate them correctly according to the intended use. Always follow the product’s technical data sheet and pay attention to the following key parameters:

• ✅ Food-contact certification
  If you plan to make epoxy tables, cutting boards, or bowls, check whether the resin has the required certification. In the EU, not every system is automatically suitable for contact with food.
• ☀️ UV resistance
  UV radiation causes epoxy to yellow. Quality UV stabilization ensures long-lasting clarity of the casting – from several months up to 5–6 years without significant discoloration.
• ⏱️ Gel time
  Indicates how long it takes for the resin to thicken to a honey-like consistency. This is important for creating pigment effects and multi-stage pours.
• ⚖️ Mixing ratio
  Always follow the exact ratio of component A (resin) to component B (hardener) to achieve proper curing.
• 🛠️ Working time
  The time during which you can work comfortably with the resin. Important for larger projects or more complex effects.
• ⌛ Full cure time
  After this time the epoxy is fully cured and ready for polishing, drilling, milling, or sanding.
• 🧱 Hardness (Shore A)
  The ideal value for wood and epoxy is 75–80 ShA. Epoxies that are too hard can be brittle and prone to cracking.
• 📏 Maximum casting thickness
  Determines how thick a layer can be poured in one go without risking an exothermic reaction.
• 🧪 Maximum casting volume
  Important for larger castings, for example when making river tables – helps prevent the mixture from overheating.
• 🔥 Glass transition temperature (Tg)
  Defines the heat resistance of the epoxy. Important for resistance to hot drinks and similar loads.
• 📉 Shrinkage during curing
  Quality epoxies have low shrinkage – the surface stays flat with no visible rippling after curing.
• 💧 Viscosity in mPa·s
  Indicates how fluid the resin is. Thinner systems are suitable for deep casting, thicker ones for detailed work and pigment effects.

👉 If you’re not sure which resin to choose, take a look at our blog article on how to choose epoxy resin or contact us – we’ll be happy to help.

How to Choose Epoxy Resin by Casting Size and Project Type?

Choosing the right epoxy resin depends not only on its technical parameters, but also on the size of the casting you plan to create. Each type of casting places different demands on curing speed, maximum layer height, and total volume of the mixture. Below you’ll find an overview of how to choose the right type of epoxy for your project:

🧿 Casting Resins for Small Castings

Ideal for detailed work and small design objects such as:

• resin jewelry
• pens
• coasters, pendants, small decorations

Properties:

• very low viscosity for perfect flow and leveling
• fast curing (within a few hours up to 1 day)
• a hard and more brittle result – ideal for polishing and fine finishing

🍽️ Resins for Medium Castings

Suitable for:

• epoxy serving boards
• lamps, clocks, coffee tables
• smaller epoxy-and-wood furniture pieces

Properties:

• medium curing speed (approx. 2–3 days)
• layers up to about 5 cm in height
• clear, hard, and dimensionally stable

🛋️ Casting Resins for Large Castings

The perfect choice for large-scale projects, for example:

• river tables made from epoxy and wood
• dining tables, bed headboards, doors
• epoxy vases and larger decorative pieces

Properties:

• low-viscosity epoxies with a long curing time (3–5 days)
• possibility to pour up to 50 liters and 10–12 cm in height
• high stability and resistance to overheating

✨ Table Top Resins – for Thin Layers and Surface Coating

Used for:

• coating wooden slabs and decorations
• making tabletops with a glossy “glass-like” finish

Properties:

• very good flow and self-leveling
• fast curing (approx. 24–48 hours)
• high surface resistance to scratching and moisture

🎨 Artistic Epoxy Resins – for Paintings and Geode Art

Specially developed for creative use such as:

• epoxy paintings
• geode art and color effects

Properties:

• thicker consistency – ideal for working with pigments
• fast and even curing
• high clarity and minimal shrinkage

✅ FAQ – Most Frequently Asked Questions About Epoxy Resins

❓Which epoxy resin should I choose for making a table?

If you plan to pour a river table, choose a low-viscosity casting resin with a long curing time (3–5 days) and high thermal stability. The key is that it allows you to pour large volumes (up to 50 L) and layers up to 10 cm without overheating.

❓How can I prevent bubbles when casting into wood?

Before the main pour, use a penetrating resin to seal the pores in the wood. This prevents air from escaping and minimizes the risk of bubbles in the main casting layer.

❓Can epoxy resins be tinted?

Yes, epoxy can be tinted with a wide range of compatible pigments – from powder pigments and alcohol inks to metallic effects and pearlescent flakes.

❓Which resin is suitable for surface coating?

To create a thin, “glass-like” surface on wood or existing epoxy, choose a table top resin. It is clear, flows and levels very well, cures quickly, and offers high resistance to scratching and moisture.

❓What is the ideal hardness of cured resin?

For most projects, the ideal hardness is 75–80 ShA on the Shore A scale. This range provides a good balance between hardness and flexibility – the resin does not crack easily and is still easy to work.