What is Blue Epoxy Resin and How is it Made?

If you’ve been searching around the internet lately, you may have come across a new trend that uses blue epoxy resin to create breathtakingly beautiful pieces of art, furniture molds, and more.

Always one step ahead of leading innovations, Vertoku has been using blue epoxy resin to create immaculate, one-of-a-kind knife handles that are as durable and capable as they are visually stunning.

In this guide, we take a closer look at what blue epoxy resin actually is, as well as how its made and what it can be used for.

Roll up your sleeves and let’s get to it!

What is Epoxy?

Epoxy might be a strange word, but it is what we use to describe the materials or cured end products made from epoxy resins.

There is a lot of science involved here, such as reactants, co-reactants, catalytic conversions, and more, but we’ll try to keep this easy to follow for the non-chemists in the room.

In simpler terms, a resin (or epoxy resin) is a type of material that is formed by the mixing of two or more separate products. This mixing, along with a suitable hardener, sets in motion a chemical reaction lasting for hours.

As part of this chemical reaction, heat is generated and the components converted from their liquid state to a cured (solid) state.

The way Epoxy is made, cured, and with what substances gives it it’s unique characteristics, making epoxy a widely used consumer and industrial application that is highly versatile in a broad range of settings.

Characteristics that Make Each Type of Epoxy Unique Include:

• The thickness of layering and casting processes
• Viscosity (free-flowing or thick goo)
• The duration of the curing process
• Ability to adhere to various surfaces
• Degree of hardness once cured

What is Epoxy Resin Used For?

The potential applications for epoxy resins are virtually limitless given the multitude of ways it can be made and the various formulations that can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of needs.

From highly durable hard surfaces, to flexible epoxy capable of absorbing shock, you name it, epoxy can probably do it. Epoxy can even be made to insulate products, improve adhesion, offer heat resistance (great for kitchen countertops) and more.

Possible Applications of Blue Epoxy Resin Include But are Not Limited To:

• Worktops (such as kitchen counters)
• Epoxy coated cutting boards
• Flooring finishes
• Jewelery made from epoxy resin
• Artwork
• Casting molds
• Figurines
• Decorative items
• Waterproof sealants
• Resin castings
• Aquariums
• Small repairs
• Topcoats
• Boatbuilding
• Model projects
• Adhesives for, alloys, metals, plastic, wood, fiberglass, composites, concrete
• And more…

Advantages of Using Blue Epoxy Resin

Let’s take a look at some of the properties that make cured blue epoxy resin so great:

• Incredible resistance to abrasion
• Strong and durable
• Can withstand impact without cracking, shattering or splintering
• Low shrinkage over time
• Dense
• Strong UV resistance
• Good adhesion to a broad range of material types
• Impressive resistance to heat
• Resistant to corrosion from acids
• Moisture resistant

What is Blue Epoxy Resin?

The topic of this post makes it’s grand entrance, and GRAND it is. Blue Epoxy Resin is resin that has been colored. In this case, with various blue pigments. Epoxy resin has quickly become a favorite among artists, woodworkers and creatives looking for unique and innovative ways to create truly amazing works that are as unique as the customers that buy them.

Resin is typically transparent, making it ideal for coloring and various dyes. Concentrated color pigments added to clear epoxy resin create a strong chemical bond with the resin, with a little going a long way.

This technique is most well-known for the ability to create free-flowing and dramatic colored ‘swirl’ effects in the resin and final product. Just a little bit of pigment will create an interesting shimmering effect, melding the clarity of the resin with bold and beautiful colors.

How is Blue Epoxy Resin Made?

Blue epoxy resin is made by taking clear epoxy and then coloring it. If left uncolored, epoxy will usually dry with a slight yellowish tint, while remaining transparent.

The Types of Blue Colors That May Be Suitable for Epoxy Include:

• Powdered pigments
• Concentrated liquid colors
• Alcohol inks; and
• Airbrush colors

Step 1: Adding in hardener

During this step, a hardening agent is added to the epoxy so that it will be able to set and cure later on.

Step 2: Adding in Dye

During this step, the desired colors are mixed into the epoxy resin to color the entirety of the resin blue, or mixed with other colors to create a unique swirling or marble-esq pattern.

Generally, if the goal is to dye all of the resin a singular color, adding in between 2-6% of coloring agent is sufficient.

While liquid pigments offer a more consistent color, powdered pigments can often help achieve a flaked or textured effect.

Have you Looked at Our Line of Knives Featuring Unique Artist-inspired Handles?

Our Blue Epoxy Resin knife handles are durable, heat, moisture and bacteria-resistant. More than that, each handle is 100% unique with no two Blue Resin molds being the same.  Take a look at our Damascus Steel Knives Blue Resin Handles if your interested in blue resin. 

Get inspired by knives as impressive as we hope you’re next dish turns out.