Resin is a type of plastic that’s commonly used in furniture, light fixtures, canoes and other objects. Resin can be made from different chemicals, including epoxy and polyester.
Epoxy resins are very popular among crafters because they’re easy to use and create a durable final product. Craft resin is another type of resin that’s often used by jewelry-makers and other artists for projects like clear coatings for tables or sculptures.
Does resin degrade over time?
Resin is a liquid plastic polymer, which can be poured into molds and forms once it dries. The best thing about using resin in your crafting hobby is that it remains completely unchanged over time.
This means that the quality of your work will stay exactly the same for as long as you want to keep it a huge bonus! However, there are some things you should be careful with while working with resin to make sure it stays in top shape.
The first thing to know is how UV light affects resin and how this can be avoided.
UV light breaks down polymers by a process known as photo-oxidation which sounds fancy but is just a way of saying that UV light makes polymers change their structure and become brittle over time.
If the surface of an item has been exposed to UV rays for too long, it may start to turn yellow or brown. A product like SunGuard can help prevent these changes from happening if used at the right stage in the curing process (this stage varies depending on brand).
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How many years does epoxy resin last?
Depending on the type of resin and storage conditions, epoxy resin can last anywhere from 30 to 100 years.
A proper storage environment is extremely important in determining how long epoxy resin can last. Resin tends to degrade a lot faster when exposed to high temperatures.
An ideal temperature for storing epoxy resins is around 18-22 degrees Celsius (64-72 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s also important that you store your resin in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and UV light sources.
If you’re looking for an example of a super durable epoxy resin, take a look at West System 105 Epoxy Resin & Hardener.
This particular brand has become famous for its durability; it’s commonly used by boat builders because it holds up so well over time and can take really rough conditions without becoming brittle or cracking.
How long does craft resin last?
So, how long does resin last? Resin can last for many years if it is not opened. The shelf life of the resin depends on the brand and type.
As a general rule, I would say it lasts 2-3 years. Epoxy Art Resin claims to have a 5-year shelf life if unopened. If you are working with resin regularly then you will use your resin up before its expiration date.
Once you have opened your resin, things change! I recommend using your resin within 3 months as the hardener starts to break down after 3 months. Some brands claim their epoxy is good for over 6 months once opened, so always read the label of your particular brand.
If kept in a cool dark place, away from pets and children, uncured craft resin lasts longer than cured craft resin in most cases (always read the label).
Can you use expired resin?
Can you use expired resin? Of course, you can. But just because you can do something, that doesn’t mean it’s the best idea. Using expired resin may produce less than ideal results and should be avoided.
An expired resin will probably still cure, but there is no way to know if the quality of the curing process will be perfect or not.
If your project requires perfect performance, like an industrial epoxy coating or an intricate piece of jewelry, working with expired resin is a bad idea that could lead to failure.
However, if your project is less critical in nature (such as topping a table with a thick layer of epoxy), using fresh or expired resin may not matter.
How long does resin last once opened?
Once you open your epoxy resin, it will begin to cure. You’ll have a few days of working time before it begins to set.
If you plan on using that epoxy for several projects, keep it in the refrigerator. This can help keep the resin from becoming too thick to use.
If you plan to store your epoxy for more than 6 months, put it in an airtight container and store it in a cool place like a basement or garage until needed.
Epoxies are usually good for 1-2 years once opened if kept at room temperature.
Does resin yellow over time?
You may be wondering if resin yellows over time. Well, the answer depends on a variety of factors:
- The type of resin you use
- The type of pigment you use
- How much UV exposure your piece gets
- Where your piece lives after it’s cured
If you’re using resin to create jewelry or other accessories, you can avoid yellowing by making sure that pieces are stored in a place where they won’t get direct sunlight.
Yellowing is less likely if pieces are stored in a box or have a coating over them to protect them from UV light.
You’ll also want to make sure that the resin and pigments used are designed for outdoor use if you make items that will be exposed to sunlight regularly. These products have special UV stabilizers added to help prevent discoloration.
What happens when resin expires?
If you’re hesitant about epoxy resin, for this reason, read on to learn how to extend the shelf life of your resin bottles.
How does epoxy resin expire?
Epoxy resins are comprised of two parts that are mixed together – the resin and the hardener. When the two components come together, they start a chemical reaction that causes them to harden into a solid. If these two ingredients don’t touch one another, they won’t start curing until you pour them together and mix them with a stir stick.
But once they’re mixed, you have a certain amount of time before they reach their maximum strength and begin to cure. This is called the “pot life” of your epoxy mixture; after it expires, your uncured epoxy is worthless and can only be thrown away.
How long can you store resin?
There’s no hard and fast rule here; the drying time can vary wildly depending on conditions. Resin is a living thing, it needs to breathe and be exposed to oxygen.
The amount of oxygen it gets will affect its curing time — the less oxygen, the slower it dries. However, because resin is an organic product (and it’s generally recommended to store all organic products at room temperature), too much heat can cause resin to degrade or even lose some of its chemical properties over time making it less effective.
Resin should be stored in a cool, dry place at around 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
How long does epoxy resin last? As mentioned above, there is no expiration date on epoxy resin products because they are essentially inert chemicals that do not age once they are mixed together by their users.
As such, there is no way of knowing whether any given batch of resin has been sitting around for years without being used before you buy a new kit or pourable container of epoxy material
Conclusion
As you have seen, it is not very likely that it will. In fact, there are a number of reasons why resin will degrade over the long term. The main reason for this is because of UV light and oxygen exposure. You saw how these two factors alone were able to affect epoxy resin and cause it to turn yellow over time.
On top of this, other factors such as temperature, humidity levels, and mixing errors can also lead to resin degradation.
Though there are ways to slow down this process by using certain additives (such as UV inhibitors), there is no way you can prevent resin from degrading forever especially when exposed outdoors for long periods of time or in high temperatures or humid conditions.
However, if your work is kept out of the sun or in a cool environment with low humidity levels (for example inside), then you can expect your work to last many decades before showing any signs of aging.
While resin might not last forever (or thousands of years like some plastics), it can still outlast most other art mediums and materials!
