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How to use CASTINGZ85 Epoxy Resin

How to use CASTINGZ85 Epoxy Resin

CastingZ85 Epoxy Resin Image

General description:
CASTING Z85 is a premium quality epoxy resin for casting, pouring, molding, jewellery making, general crafting and furniture works. It can be used as a clear cast, or mixed with various types of colour pigments (e.g. metallic, pearlescent, solid colour powders, etc.), toners and dyes. It has very good fluidity, strong adhesion to the substrate, low heat release, excellent transparency, good air release and anti-yellowing characteristic. This epoxy resin can also be heat cured to accelerate curing time.

Best Usage:
CASTING Z85 is best used for the following:
River Tables, Coffee Tables, Resin Arts, Resin Jewellery Making, Molding, Casting, Specimen Preservation, Furniture Making and other general purpose epoxy resin casting work with two inches deep pouring.

Packaging:
CASTING Z85 Epoxy Resin is a two component epoxy resin with a 3:1 ratio (refer to 'How to use this product?' below for more information).
A 1kg Packaging is equivalent to a total of a 1kg mixture of Part A and Part B, also a 4kg Packaging is equivalent to a total of a 4kg mixture of Part A and Part B and so on.

How To Use this product? 
1. Surface Preparation:
Surface preparation may differ depending on your substrate and project. Just make sure that the surface to be poured is clean, dry, free of dust and oil for best surface adhesion. For projects like molding and casting, make sure to use proper mold release agent applied multiple times within the mold, otherwise use a silicone mold for easy release.

2. Mixture:
 
CASTING Z85 is a two-component epoxy resin with a ratio of 3:1.
  • Determine first the desired amount of the mixture (example you need a 4kg epoxy resin for your project)
  • Use clean and dry containers and a weighing scale to exactly measure Part A and Part B. Pour each of them on a separate container following the proper ratios
  • A simple equation for this mixture is 3(Part A) + 1(Part B) = desired amount of the Total Resin (from our example, 3kgs Part A + 1kg Part B = 4kgs epoxy mixture).
  • Always remember that Part A is three times (3x) the amount of Part B, that is why its ratio is 3:1.
  • To simply understand this, in every 1 Part B, always add 3 of Part A. Another example, for a 400g of Part B always add the trice or three times(3x) of it, in this case, 400g x 3 is 1200g, therefore add 1200g Part A, then the total mixture will be 1200g Part A + 400g Part B = 1600g Total Resin mixture or 1.6kgs.
  • Mix well using a machine driven stirrer for 3 to 5 minutes especially for large projects and whenever mixing with colour pigments.
  • Colour pigments are recommended to be mixed with Part A first. Mechanically stir for at least 5 minutes before mixing with Part B to save pot life.
  • A maximum of 4% colour pigment shall be the limit to the total mixture in Part A and Part B. For example, a 4kg pack epoxy resin has a 4% of 0.16kgs, therefore use 0.16kgs or 160grams colour pigments; a 1kg pack has a 4% of 0.04kgs, therefore use 40grams colour pigments.

  • 3. Degas using Vacuum Chamber (Optional):
    Most epoxy resins are degassed before application especially for mold casting to avoid bubbles within the finished product. A heat gun may also be used to pop the surface bubbles, but for transparent works this may not be applicable since bubbles trapped within the epoxy cannot be removed unless degassed using a vacuum chamber. CASTING Z85 has a very good air release but bubbles may still be trapped especially after stirring. Kindly read "Special notes for a long term and best quality result no. 7" for more detail recommendation.

    4. System Application: 
    Below is the ideal application system to give the best quality result for any kind of casting project. Different application method may still be applied depending on the desire and good practice of the applicator/user.

    Sealing:
    CASTING Z85 can be used to seal first the area to be poured or cast. Apply a thin amount using a brush and wait for it to become tacky or dry before applying the actual cast. For small wood casting, stabilizing first to seal all areas may be the best option before the actual casting.


    Actual Casting Work:
    After mixing the required amount of epoxy resin (and pigments, if mixed with pigments), pour thoroughly. We recommend pausing every 50mm (2 inches) thick of cast to cure before pouring 50mm (2 inches) thick of cast (or lesser) again. This is to prevent stress that may lead to crack the epoxy during curing because of developing exothermic heat; and also for easy curing.


    Top Coat:
    The top coat is optional depending on your product. Always be sure to sand and clean the surface before applying the hard top coating. SURFACE Z90 may be used as the final coating as it has excellent abrasion resistance.

     

    Working Time:
    Pot Life:
    40 minutes at 25 deg.C (using 100g test sample)
    Hardening Time:
    8-10 hours at 25 deg.C or 2 hours at 55 deg.C (using 2g test sample)
    Conditions:
    70% RH and 25 deg.C

    Special Features:

    CASTING Z85 features a high adhesion, good fluidity with self degassing properties and can be cured under room temperature or heated for faster curing time. It is also moisture proof, making it best for casting such as specimen preservation, dried flowers as such. When cured, CASTING Z85 is transparent, shines like a clear crystal with no corrugation since it also has very good air and heat release. While SURFACE Z90 has Shore D Hardness of 90, CASTING Z85 has Shore D Hardness of 85 providing good machinability and ease of use. Most cured epoxy resins in the market today has a Shore D of Less than 85.

    All Onyx Epoxy Resin's "Z" Series (including SURFACE Z90) are made from non-toxic and tasteless raw materials imported from Germany and Japan, thus producing a very stable non-volatile epoxy resin with zero fumes that are safe for home use. The Median Lethal Dose or LD50 value of Onyx Epoxy Resin is >3000 mg/kg which is the same LD50 value of teaspoon of salt or sodium chloride. Note: Although CASTING Z85 is a safe product, it is still an industrial product, not food and therefore, should never be swallowed. In case this happens, immediately go to the hospital for medical attention.

    How Hard is CASTING Z85?
    CASTING Z85 belongs to the "Z" Series of Onyx Epoxy Resin family. It has Shore D Hardness of 85. To put this into a real perspective, a "hard hat", the one engineers wear in mining and construction sites, normally also have a Shore D Hardness of 85 to keep them safe from falling heavy objects. If that sounds amazing, imagine having a Shore D Hardness of 90 that can only be achieved using another one in Onyx Epoxy Resin's Z Series, the SURFACE Z90.

    *Special Notes for a Long Term and Best Quality Result:
    1. Make sure that the substrate is clean and dry. Users may follow the recommended surface preparation above.
    2. For long term quality with exceptional attributes such as transparency and gloss effect, CASTING Z85 is recommended (but not limited) for indoor applications.
    3. Mix only with compatible pigment powders, dyes, toners, etc. for the best aesthetic and quality result.
    4. Output products are best used after 7 days from time of application.
    5. The maximum temperature the cured CASTING Z85 Epoxy Resin product can handle is up to 80 deg.C. Beyond that temperature may lead product to distortion.
    6. To prevent and/or minimize the bubbles trapped within the poured epoxy mixture, make sure to spread the epoxy mixture continuously in the working area. It is also recommended (but optional) to use a vacuum chamber to degas the epoxy mixture before pouring them (just take note of the working time) or use a heat gun around the surface of the poured epoxy mixture to pop the bubbles. Plumbers torch may also be used since all Onyx Epoxy Resins are safe and not flammable, but it still is not recommended due to the risk of fire and explosion of the torch itself especially when the user is not a professional plumber.
    7. Make sure that the Relative Humidity (RH) of the working space is less than 85%. Any coating including epoxy resin may accumulate moisture at the surface that may lead to white mist, unevenly cured epoxy resin and worst delamination of the epoxy resin when cured.
    8. Always refer to the Technical Data Sheet before using this product. You can download it here.

    Safety Precautions:
    Onyx Epoxy Resins are safe for home use and are non-volatile, but strict safe work practices are still required.

    1. Skin irritation varies from person to person. That is why when working with epoxy resins, always wear protective equipment like gloves, apron, shoe cover rugs, spiked booties or even a disposable coverall to avoid direct skin contact especially when mixing, pouring and spreading on a large work. In case skin contact happens, immediately rub with a clean towel or paper then thoroughly wash with water and soap. Do not clean your skin with cleaning solvents like thinners, acetone, mineral spirits, etc. since these chemicals can penetrate your bare skin.
    2. Work in a very well ventilated space and always wear a mask. For poor ventilation and tight working areas, a respirator is required to reduce and/or eliminate any health risk. Some will smell the epoxy resin, some don't. Most people identify the smell as the fumes but they're not the same. Onyx Epoxy Resins are very stable, no VOC or fumes is vaporized during the reaction, but continuous, repeated and long term exposure may still cause irritation to the respiratory tract.
    3. Use protective goggles or face shield to keep your eyes safe from accidental contact with epoxy resin especially during sanding. Epoxy resin can cause eye irritation and swelling. In case this happens, don't rub instead continuously wash with running water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

    4. Do not swallow this product. Immediately seek medical attention if this happens.
    5. Test this product with a small amount of mixture first to minimize mistakes during the actual work.
    6. Keep out of reach of children.

    Storage and Shelf Life:
    1. Store in a clean and dry place best with a temperature between 8-25 deg.C.
    2. Keep away from high humidity, hot environment and direct sunlight.
    3. Recommended to use after opening to keep the quality.
    4. Shelf life is 12 months at 70% RH and 25 deg.C.

    Disclaimer:
    If you purchase this product from Onyx Epoxy Resin as a company and vendor either from their official website, a physical store or any other official third-party online selling platform, you accept these disclaimers, terms and conditions.
    Onyx Epoxy Resin as a company, vendor, product and brand is free from any form of liabilities such as loss, warranty, damages of any kind and even failure of this product. All buyers, customers, users, contractors, resellers, third-party sellers, advertisers and visitors of this website, etc., acknowledge, accept and fully understand this notice of disclaimer including but not limited to the following listed below before they proceed on purchasing these products. If you purchase and transact with Onyx Epoxy Resin, you use these products at your own risk.

    1. The finish product quality and the aesthetic results always rely on the workmanship of the applicator. Although all recommendations within this website goals to achieve the best product results, unforeseen circumstances may still arise and affect the end quality. And since every project is special on their own, the use of these products may have different results or even fail to deliver as presented within this website.
    2. You accept and fully understand that using this product involves risks that include but not limited to skin and eyes irritation, respiratory health risks, serious physical injury and even death.
    3. You are buying, using and/or selling this product as is where is and as claimed on this website with no guarantee and warranty.
    4. This website strives to provide helpful contents and advance information for the use of these products including safety precautions, good work practices and proper product mixture, but Onyx Epoxy Resin as a company, vendor, product and brand makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. Any action you take upon the information from this website is strictly at your own risk and Onyx Epoxy Resin is not liable for any losses, damages in connection with the use of this website and information written herein.
    5. Onyx Epoxy Resin does not accept returns or exchanges after a transaction has been settled (a settled transaction is when you already received the item and Onyx Epoxy Resin already received the payment) unless the item you purchased is unusable because the packaging is broken (or leaked) during the delivery or already hardened because of improper storage. If you received an item that falls within these two categories, please contact Onyx Epoxy Resin immediately to replace your item.

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