Top 10 Pitfalls in the Use of Potting Resins - Epoxy resin wholesale at low price and good quality

Meta Description: Are you using potting resins for the first time? Did you identify some air bubbles on the resin coat after using a casting resin? Perhaps you fear the risks that make many beginners fail? You are reading a perfect article to answer your questions. We will take you through the typical mistakes beginners encounter while using potting resins. The guide will help you overcome the possible pitfalls. We will cover the risks in the:

● Choosing the Best Resin Brand

● Choosing the Right Resin Kit

● Mixing Ratio

● Application Surfaces Preparation

● Curing Process

● Pot Life

● Ambient Temperature Effect

● Viscosity

● Cost

● Key Performance Indicators

● The wrong choice of potting resin can lead to the failure of your project

● Ignoring the manufacturer’s instructions can land you into problems

● Inaccurate quantities of the mixture affect the quality of the final product

● ·Mixing epoxy in a poorly ventilated area can be harmful to your health

This tutorial will help you avoid the most common pitfalls for your first resin project. Perhaps, when you first started working with resins for potting, you turned to YouTube? This guide is meant for anyone in the same position as every beginner. Just read the manual to learn the potting resin pitfalls and how to avoid them.

What are Potting Resins?

To “pot” an electronic component or system means to immerse it in a compound like resin or to fill it to the brim. In simple terms, potting resins are what we use to cover sensitive electronic parts.

Electronics potting is the process of filling an enclosure with potting material. It shields electronics from environmental risks.

You can use a solid or gelatinous potting material. If there is no enclosure, encapsulation is used instead of potting. The potting prevents damage from vibrations, electrical surges, corrosion, drops, and moisture.

Though straightforward, the use of potting resins can sometimes be challenging. Problems may arise along the way. Don’t worry. Here we list the common issues and their solutions from resinoo.

1.Challenges In Choosing The Best Resin Brand

It would be best if you used the epoxy brand that best fits your resin art project. Choosing the wrong resin affects the success of your project.

You could pot a plastic surface using epoxy. However, the result will not be good. Epoxy resin will not adhere well to plastic surfaces. If the potting surface is metallic, like steel, then epoxy will be the best. For plastic surfaces, use another type of glue, like silicone.

2.Pitfalls in Choosing The Right Resin Kit

The mixing utensils should be specific. Each potting resin reacts differently to the mixing utensil. Using the wrong mixing materials may be costly in the end.

For instance, epoxy resin sticks to metals like steel and aluminum. If you use a metallic measuring cylinder, it will be hard to clean it. Thus, you may not reuse the measuring tool.

You will be forced to incur extra costs to purchase a new one. For epoxy resin, I recommend the use of plastic materials.

Secondly, the stirring stick plays a crucial role in the mixing process. For instance, if you choose a round-ended stick, the mixture of resin and hardener may not blend properly.

In the end, the mixture may take too long to cure. Use a flat-ended mixing stick for a thorough blending. A flat stirring stick reduces any chances of unmixed resin.

3. Risks In Determining the Right Mix Ratio

Mixing resin has long-term effects on the success of resin application and resin cure.

Any chemical reaction is affected if you mix the wrong proportions. Before mixing, you should measure both the resin and hardener.

Note that you can use your hands or dispensing tools to mix resin and hardener. The best mixing ratio is 2:1. The ratio means that two volumes of resin will be mixed with one volume of hardener.

Measuring requires a clearly labelled measuring cylinder.

Example: Perhaps you add more hardener than the required amount? The mixture will cure too fast. The cured resin might not adhere well to the surface. Also, curing too fast may limit the working time. To avoid such rookie mistakes:

● You can use a Resin pack if you are using small quantities. A resin pack has precise quantities of each component. Once ready, only remove the separating material and begin stirring immediately.

● In taking the measurements, avoid parallax errors. Read the volume from the bottom of the meniscus as shown below.

● If you use a dispensing machine, measuring by volume will do you good. If you are using your hands, measuring by weight will give better results.

4. Application Surface Issues

Whether your work surface is wood, plastic or metal, there are some issues you need to avoid. Some common mistakes beginners make are:

● Pouring epoxy on dusty surfaces. Dust may contaminate the resin. Consequently, it will adhere poorly.

● Applying a second coat of resin before the first layer of resin cures completely

For example, you may notice that the resin and the application surface are two distinct layers after you are through the project. Two layers mean resin did not adhere to the surface.

The mistakes affect the strength of the bond between the resin and the surface. To ensure the surface is clean, rub/wipe it with alcohol or acetone. For cured epoxy, you can use sandpaper to smooth the surface.

5. Curing Problems

Sometimes the epoxy may not cure within the time required. Normally, epoxy cures within twenty-four hours. The curing process is dependent on the mixing ratio and the room temperature.

The curing process may take too long if you carry out your resin project in cold weather.

For example, after completing the project, the resin is soft after a long cure. Softness results in bendy resin, implying that it did not harden well.

You may notice small bubbles on the surface. The bubbles result from trapped air as a result of improper mixing.

You can solve curing problems by:

● Giving the epoxy resin a longer time to cure

● Passing a heat gun on the entire surface to fasten the curing rate. It also helps to remove bubbles

● A warm water bath will do well, especially for small projects

6.Pot-life

The pot life refers to the duration with which the viscosity of epoxy doubles. It would be best if you were keen to operate with the pot life of your resin.

For instance, assume you leave your resin mixture in the syringe or a container. Perhaps you leave it for several hours. After you return, the resin in the syringe or container may be too thick to pour.

In working with resin, you should consider the gel life of the resin. Do not leave it for too long unless you leave it to cure.

7.The Ambient Temperature Effect

The higher the temperatures, the less time resin takes to cure. Resins cure best at a specific optimum temperature.

For instance, epoxy cures best at room temperature between 24-30 degrees Celsius. The room temperature affects the rate of cure.

For instance, if you work within a temperature of 36-40 degrees Celsius, the resin may cure too fast. It may develop an orange-pill feel. If you work at a temperature below 20 degrees Celsius, the resin may take too long to cure.

To compensate for high temperatures, you can use less amount of hardener. For low-temperature places, you can use more hardeners.

8.Viscosity

A more viscous resin and hardener will overstrain the pistons of the pump. Also, the more viscous the components are, the more time they will take to blend.

Viscosity is affected by the temperature of the environment.

For instance, if you buy epoxy resin with a viscosity of 100 cps and take it to temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, the viscosity may increase to 900 cps.

Mixing such epoxy with hardener is uphill. For low temperatures, use less viscous resins. For high temperatures, buy more viscous resins.

9.Cost

The cost of different brands of epoxy resin may differ. Prices vary because the cost of production is not the same.

Sometimes, the cost of an epoxy resin brand may indicate its quality. High-quality brands are generally more expensive.

However, cost should not be the only determining factor. For instance, China produces high-quality epoxy resin at cheaper prices than the USA. Consider the purpose of the resin before you buy.

If you want to do different projects, there is no need to buy different resin brands. You can simply go for general-purpose brands from resinoo. Using general-purpose brands saves on cost since they can be used for several projects.

10.Key Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators of epoxy resin determine the success of your project. Potting resin has some key performance indicators. They include:

● High strength

● Low shrinking rate

● Electrical insulation

● Low toxicity

● Water resistance

For instance, if your project requires strong protection, you should ensure that the brand you buy has high strength.

For electronic potting, the best epoxy brand should be waterproof. If you use any brand, water may end up in the electric circuit and affect the performance.

Perhaps you have a specific finish that you desire? You can use acrylic paint for the finish you desire.

After Thoughts

You may have challenges in the potting process. Resinoo has the answer for you.

Visit our website and get in touch with experts. They are just a call away. Our brand is recognized.

Brand of epoxy called resin. Our company offers professional advice to beginners. Our products are affordable and come in different quantities.

This guide is an eye-opener for beginners. Those with challenges have their problems solved as well. Our brand is tailored to satisfy your needs. We are located in China, one of the leading producers of potting resin.

Conclusion

There are details to consider when working with epoxy resin. The potting compound made from epoxy resin typically has two parts.

The resin itself and a curing agent. It needs to be swirled and blended thoroughly before use. Mixing is done to achieve the right consistency.

The percentage of use varies with the various brands of items. A ratio of 2:1 will do a good job. Immediately after combining the ingredients, pour them into the product.

You need to be extra careful when handling epoxy resin for potting. Every single step should not be rushed. Take time to ensure that the end product is desirable. Spray glue will help you finish the job faster than you think.