Overview
UV resin is known to have broad commercial or personal applications for several reasons, such as viscosity and flexibility. It can visually resemble several things, such as mimicking the appearance of rocks, glass, and gemstones. And due to this, it has led to its widespread application in various products and industries.
In the natural world, resin is a raw material secreted by plants which use it as a defense mechanism. Typically, plants were the primary source of resin as raw material. Still, it has evolved since other sources such as fossil fuels, and synthetic polymers can provide a source to make resin. Resin has a high viscosity, and when it comes to contact with a catalyst, it thickens and becomes rigid.
Before the invention of UV resin, people used epoxy resin which had a lot of setbacks because epoxy resins require a hardening agent for them to dry, and the hardening process takes time and, therefore, is ineffective. The invention of UV resin made the application more manageable and effective because it hardens quickly and does not require a hardening agent for it to harden. It only requires the correct amount of light radiation from the sun.
Types of Resins
UV resins have a wide application because once they are subjected to UV light, the resin undergoes polymerization and curing. The light energy produced from the sun cures them and makes them harden in a short period. There are two types of UV resins. They include:
Radical UV Resins
The radical UV resin contains acrylate, which accounts for about 5 to 10% of the total components used in its manufacture. This type of UV resin helps to provide optimum resistance to chemicals and heat. Additionally, the curing process of the product or the material acted upon stops when the resin is no longer exposed to solar radiation. The radical UV resins can also be employed in various applications that call for adaptability and flexibility.
Cationic UV Resins
Cationic UV resins are made of epoxy, accounting for about 2 to 4 % of the total components used in its manufacture. In terms of chemical and heat resistance qualities, cationic UV resins provide a strong resistance as opposed to radical UV resins. The curing process of a given product or material continues even when it is not exposed to solar radiation, and due to this, it has a limited number of applications.
Cationic UV resins can also be categorized into hard and soft UV resins. In hard resins, they harden due to the exposure to direct sunlight, and they are well known for craft decorations. When it comes to soft UV resins, they cure due to the exposure to UV light and other UV equipment. Because of their flexible nature, soft UV resins are primarily used in the decoration of crafts more than hard UV resins. However, the use of the thicker texture of the soft UV resin provides a stiff and less bendable cure.
The Uses of UV Resins
UV resin has got several applications due to its fast hardening qualities. The UV resin comes in a kit with a high-quality lamp that helps cure the resin by solidifying the creation fast. Additionally, there are mixing tools, coloring matter, and casting molds that help to use the UV resin at ease without making errors. Here are some of the uses of UV resins:
Jewelry Making
When it comes to manufacturing jewelry, there are various mediums available. UV resin is currently one of the standards and popular mediums used to make jewelry. The benefit of using UV resin is that one can design the jewelry by themselves on a small scale. It is because buying UV resin and other components needed to manufacture jewelry is affordable.
The process of jewelry making involves mixing the resin with a drop of a pigment, pouring the resin mixture onto the mold, and filling wholly or partially. Remove the air bubbles by lighting up a matchstick or a lighter and putting it about an inch from the resin. The air removal process is done for at least 3 seconds to remove the air bubbles effectively. Finally, the mold is kept under a UV resin lamp that cures and hardens it for about 1 minute. The product formed can now be used to make jewelry.
SLA 3D Printing
UV resin is used in the 3D printing mechanism to make 3D printed items. The printer features a galvanometer that helps direct the laser beams to the resin tank, where the laser hardens the resin. The construction platform is then raised by one layer using the elevator. The printing process continues until the laser beam fully hardens the next layer. Additionally, the hardened resins are transformed into 3d solid material through photopolymerization.
The benefits of using UV resin in 3D printing are that it produces elaborate geometry shapes with complexity, offers a variety of materials to choose from, creates a compact style, and is most appropriate for miniatures. The setback of using UV resin in 3D printing is that the technology has delicate lasers and transparent displays. Post-curing is needed after the initial curing, and UV resin pollutes the environment.
Alcohol Ink and UV Resin Light Bulbs
In the craft industry, one can mix UV resin with a range of silicone molds to make craft decors such as decorations, key chains, and coasters. Additionally, there are various ways to use UV resins for crafting, and the more the invention, the more complex it gets. Using alcohol ink and UV resin can be vital for searching for a quick and easy technique. The use of alcohol ink in crafting is preferred to regular ink because when mixed with UV resin, it creates a glassy and crystal-like appearance making it look attractive.
When it comes to light production, UV resin can also be used to make light bulbs appealing to look at and provide adequate illumination in the surrounding area. The process involves casting the UV resin into a shape that resembles a bulb, and as it hardens, it creates a crystal resin ideal for light absorption and reflection. Therefore, when an LED is added to the bulb, the crystal bulb can reflect and absorb light just like the standard bulb made from glass.
Wrapping it Up
The UV resin has a wide range of applications due to its quick-drying qualities. Having a UV resin kit can be an effective beginning if one is starting a new project. The UV resin kit should be equipped with the necessary things, such as a UV lamp, tools that help mix UV resins with other elements, coloring matter, and casting molds. The supply should be abundant to start the UV resin adventure.
