Resin

[Eric S.]

Good morning everybody,Quick questionPolyester resin or Epoxy resin? What's the difference and which one is better?Thanx

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Resins

epoxy resin is better or vinylester resin is great below the water line as water generally cannot migrate through the resin. Polyester has a tendacy to be more pourous. Depends on the application for what you are doing will depend which I would suggest.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[David]

Resins

Epoxy is more expensive but I never use anything else. It is much stronger with less shrinkage than polyester. Epoxy barrier coats are much less (not completely) water permeable than polyester. The only reason boats are not produced in epoxy is because of the expense.

 

[Peter Milne]

Epoxy vs. Other Resins

Offsetting the expense of expoxy as already noted, it is lighter, more flexible and stronger than either vinylester or polyester.A hull properly laid up with E-glass, S-glass, carbon fibre or Kevler and expoxy or more likely some combination thereof, the result is virtually bullet proof.However, the cost of building something the size of a sailboat out of these materials is beyond the reach of most mortals.Peter MilneS/V Blue Heron