Epoxy Resin Course

Lesson 1 • Chemistry and Composition Basics

Covers epoxide groups, hardener chemistry, and how molecular structure drives cured properties. Establishes the chemical foundation needed for all subsequent mixing and curing decisions.

Lesson 2 • Types of Epoxy Resin Systems

Surveys casting, coating, laminating, and UV resins with their trade-off profiles. Students match resin type to project requirements by the end of this section.

Lesson 3 • Reading Technical Data Sheets

Teaches interpretation of mix ratios, pot life, cure schedules, and mechanical property tables. Directly enables informed product selection and process planning.

Lesson 4 • Workspace Setup and Environmental Controls

Defines temperature, humidity, and ventilation requirements that directly affect cure quality. Students design a compliant, efficient workspace before handling any material.

Lesson 1 • Accurate Measurement Methods

Compares gravimetric and volumetric measurement with error analysis for each method. Precision here prevents off-ratio batches that cause tacky or brittle cures.

Lesson 2 • Understanding and Managing Pot Life

Explains exothermic reaction kinetics and how batch size, temperature, and container shape affect working time. Students plan pours to stay within safe working windows.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Off-Ratio Batches

Identifies visual and tactile symptoms of under- or over-catalyzed mixes and their root causes. Students apply corrective actions before and after pouring.

Lesson 4 • Mixing Techniques and Equipment

Covers hand mixing, drill mixing, and static mixer use with stroke patterns that minimize air entrainment. Proper technique directly reduces post-cure defects.

Lesson 1 • Release Agent Application

Compares wax, PVA, and chemical release agents with application protocols for each mold substrate. Correct release prevents surface defects and mold damage.

Lesson 2 • Demolding and Mold Maintenance

Addresses cure verification before demolding, safe part extraction, and mold cleaning protocols. Proper maintenance extends mold service life significantly.

Lesson 3 • Designing Molds for Castability

Teaches draft angles, parting lines, undercut avoidance, and vent placement for reliable demolding. Good mold design prevents damage to both part and mold.

Lesson 4 • Mold Material Selection

Evaluates silicone, polyurethane, HDPE, melamine, and glass as mold substrates by cost, detail fidelity, and resin compatibility. Selection criteria are applied to real project scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Colorant Types and Resin Compatibility

Distinguishes pigment pastes, liquid dyes, alcohol inks, and mica powders by transparency, UV stability, and loading limits. Incompatible colorants cause cure inhibition or cloudiness.

Lesson 2 • Fluid Art and Marbling Techniques

Teaches cell formation, dirty pour, and swipe methods using resin viscosity and surface tension. Students execute controlled abstract patterns on flat substrates.

Lesson 3 • Color Measurement and Consistency

Introduces percentage-by-weight colorant loading, batch records, and color matching workflows. Consistency across batches is essential for production and repair work.

Lesson 4 • Layered and Gradient Color Pours

Covers timed sequential pours, gel-state layering, and gradient blending for depth effects. Timing between layers prevents unwanted mixing while ensuring chemical bonding.

Lesson 1 • Single-Pour Casting Fundamentals

Establishes pour rate, fill height limits, and exotherm management for single-batch castings. Depth limits and batch sizing prevent cracking from heat buildup.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Layer and Deep Casting

Covers inter-layer timing, surface preparation between pours, and heat management for thick castings. Students build castings exceeding single-pour depth limits without defects.

Lesson 3 • Jewelry and Small-Scale Casting

Applies precision casting to bezels, molds, and pendant forms with fine detail requirements. Small batch management and demolding without damage are emphasized.

Lesson 4 • Functional Object and Tabletop Casting

Scales casting skills to coasters, trays, handles, and river table inlays with structural requirements. Students balance aesthetics and mechanical performance in functional pieces.

Lesson 1 • Surface Preparation for Coating

Covers sanding grits, degreasing, moisture testing, and primer coats required before epoxy adhesion. Inadequate prep is the leading cause of coating delamination.

Lesson 2 • Brush and Roll Coating Methods

Applies epoxy with foam rollers and brushes for vertical surfaces, floors, and irregular shapes. Technique adjustments prevent roller stipple and brush marks.

Lesson 3 • Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber Laminating

Introduces wet layup, vacuum bagging, and resin infusion for fiber-reinforced composite panels. Fiber-to-resin ratio control determines structural performance.

Lesson 4 • Self-Leveling Topcoat Application

Teaches pour volume calculation, spread technique, and edge management for flat topcoats. Students produce glass-smooth surfaces on tabletops and artwork panels.

Lesson 1 • Wet Sanding Progression

Sequences wet sanding from coarse scratch removal through ultra-fine preparation for polishing. Each grit stage removes the scratches of the previous stage systematically.

Lesson 2 • Protective Topcoats and UV Stabilization

Applies UV-resistant clear coats and wax sealants to prevent yellowing and surface degradation. Topcoat selection is matched to indoor vs. outdoor exposure conditions.

Lesson 3 • Machine Polishing and Buffing

Applies rotary and dual-action polishers with compound, polish, and wax stages to achieve gloss. Pad selection and machine speed prevent heat damage to epoxy.

Lesson 4 • Cure Verification Before Finishing

Uses hardness testing, solvent wipe, and thermal analysis to confirm full cure before abrasive work. Sanding under-cured resin clogs abrasives and damages surfaces.

Lesson 1 • Process Documentation and Repeatability

Creates standard operating procedures, batch records, and material traceability logs for consistent output. Documentation supports quality audits and client communication.

Lesson 2 • Complex Multi-Technique Project Planning

Develops project briefs, material lists, process sequences, and risk assessments for advanced builds. Planning prevents costly errors in time-sensitive, multi-stage projects.

Lesson 3 • Geode and 3D Sculptural Resin Art

Combines crystal embedding, metallic pigments, and layered pours to create dimensional geode art. Structural integrity and visual depth are achieved simultaneously.

Lesson 4 • Quality Inspection and Defect Logging

Establishes visual inspection checklists, defect classification, and corrective action documentation. Systematic logging enables continuous process improvement across production runs.