Working safely with Epoxy, what and how?
Epoxy is relatively safe and above all very fun to work with. Are you curious about how you can best and safely work with epoxy? Are you wondering whether you should wear a face mask or gloves while working with epoxy?
On this page we answer these types of questions. Is your question not listed or are you looking for other expert advice? Then you can always contact our customer service , our experts will be happy to help you.
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What is epoxy?
Epoxies are polymers that are produced as a liquid and turn into a solid through a chemical reaction. Cured epoxy is very strong. Epoxy has a compressive and tensile strength that is twice that of concrete. After the epoxy dries, a kind of hard plastic is created. Cured epoxy is completely safe for both humans and animals to wear.
What types of epoxy are there?
1. UV Resin (ready to use)
This epoxy is, as the name suggests, ready-to-use. UV resin has become very popular in recent years. This resin has been specially developed to quickly make jewelry, key rings and other small art. This epoxy is ready-to-use and dries quickly. Thanks to a handy spout, you can pour the epoxy directly from the bottle into a mold.
2. Epoxy casting resin (2 components)
For example , epoxy casting resin is mixed 1 to 1, but there are also more difficult mixing ratios. The mixing ratio is quite precise. In addition, such epoxy must dry for 24 hours before you can process it further and harden for up to 48 hours before your workpiece is really ready. But be careful! There is also an epoxy variant in the Netherlands called Resion UV resin. This is ready-to-use UV resin, but regular epoxy casting resin. You still have to mix this yourself with 2 components and it has the same long drying time as epoxy.
What is suitable for what?
For making jewelry and other small objects we recommend ready-made resin such as UV resin . This resin has a fast processing time and is very easy to use. You can also build up a piece of jewelry or other artwork with UV resin in thin layers. By using different layers with colors or materials you create a beautiful 3D effect.
For larger projects, such as casting a tray or coaster, we always choose a two-component casting resin such as UltraEpoxy . These are also much more cost-effective for large surfaces.
How to work safely with epoxy?
During the curing of epoxy, a small amount of vapour can be released. The components of epoxy contain a very small amount of volatile components. A small amount of these are released during use and the curing process. Long-term exposure without protection is best avoided and your work area must be sufficiently ventilated.
When working with epoxy it is therefore necessary to work safely:
- Our advice is to always work with gloves and clothing that is well covered and can get dirty.
- If you work in a well ventilated area (window open) you do not need a mask. The fumes released during curing are very minimal.
- Wear gloves to prevent epoxy from touching your skin.
- If you want to be on the safe side, you can wear a vapor mask , but this is not necessary if you follow the above tips.
See the table below for recommended personal protection based on how long you will be working with epoxy.
| Protective equipment | Short | Long |
| Sufficient ventilation | Yes | Yes |
| Gloves | Yes | Yes |
| Safety glasses | No | Yes |
| Half mask | No | Yes |
Is epoxy harmful to the respiratory tract?
During curing and mixing epoxy, fumes can be released. If you work with cheap epoxies or those that come from abroad, you have a greater risk of this. Our epoxy meets all safety requirements. You will not have any problems with this.
When working with epoxy, the use of good, suitable protective equipment (a face mask, protective clothing, safety glasses and gloves) will minimize the risk of irritation to the respiratory tract and skin. If you work a lot with epoxy or are sensitive to it, you may consider wearing a vapor mask.
Can working with epoxy cause an allergic reaction?
In practice, only a very small percentage of people appear to be hypersensitive to this or even allergic. This may involve a specific substance in the epoxy or several. Follow the above tips on working safely with epoxy and the chance of this occurring will be very small . In the event of an allergic reaction to epoxy, redness, pimples, blisters, swelling can be seen at the points of contact with the skin. You may also experience irritation of the respiratory tract (coughing fits).
In case of complaints, immediately stop working with epoxy and seek fresh air. If necessary, consult a doctor. He/she can answer your question about whether you are allergic to it.
Your workplace
When working with epoxy, make sure you have everything at hand. We use baby wipes in case of spills. Always work on a silicone mat or placemat. The epoxy will not stick to this. If the epoxy gets on it, quickly remove it. Always work with an extra pair of gloves at hand. This is in case your gloves are covered in epoxy or epoxy glitter.
Is epoxy food safe?
Cured epoxy casting resin is safe for both humans and animals to use as art in your home or to wear. Epoxy is resistant to grease, oil and moisture and can withstand high temperatures. This makes it a durable and hygienic product.
You can easily make a fruit bowl with a banana in it or a nice cake stand with treats, that's no problem.
However, we advise against using epoxy to store or cut food directly. In such a case, no UV stabilizer may be added, because it is not suitable for food contact. This is because the epoxy casting resin can react with acids in the food and may release toxic substances.
Also, making a breadboard with epoxy is not recommended, because cutting and using the board can cause small amounts of epoxy to get into your food. Therefore, it is important to only use epoxy as a protective coating for food contact surfaces.
Use protective equipment when working with epoxy
When working with chemicals such as epoxy and polyester, personal protective equipment is of great importance. These products can contain substances to a certain extent that can be harmful to your health if they are not processed correctly. Epoxy shop itsOkay offers a wide range of protective materials, such as vapor masks , gloves and for example a silicone mat , so that you can always find the right protection for your project.
More information?
Do you have questions about making art, jewelry or casting/coating floors or other objects? At itsOkay, several epoxy experts work with each their own expertise. We are happy to help you.
Please contact itsOkay customer service or take a look at the Epoxy knowledge center .
