With the wide range of encapsulation resins available on the market, choosing the right resin for an application can become a real challenge. It is often thought that the properties of industrial resins do not differ significantly, while they have completely different benefits to offer. We will try to cite the most important factors to look out for when choosing the
the right industrial resin. It will be important to define the resin’s operating conditions, temperature range and likely chemical exposure. Once the technical parameters have been defined, we will narrow down the area of
search to those that will affect the resin’s performance during operation and its reliability. Let’s look at five basic factors that are essential in selecting the right product:
Resin chemistry
It is easy to assume that all polyurethane and epoxy resins have similar properties because they have similar chemical compositions, but this is an incorrect assumption. Certain factors affect thermal conductivity, while other additives affect processability, curing time and temperature range in service. For example, part A polyurethanes can be polybutadiene-based or polymer/polyester-based.
Polybutadiene-based industrial resins such as Electrolube, starting with the prefixes UR50_ or UR51_, or such as Electrolube’s polyurethane resin UR51041, themselves have exceptional resistance to immersion in water, but are susceptible to organic solvents such as fuels and oils. Polyether/polyester-based resins, such as EL UR55_/UR56_, e.g. Electrolube UR 5634 polyurethane resin, behave differently and have better resistance to organic solvents and high water resistance at lower temperatures, but are not as resistant at high temperatures and high humidity as polybutadiene-based materials. It is important to note that within each resin category, there will be products that have differences in their performance. MD Polonia’s team of technicians will be happy to advise on the best resin to use for a given application in the given conditions. By following the advice outlined above, you will be able to select products that are ideally suited to your needs.
Thermal conductivity
With the trend towards miniaturisation, high power density devices are becoming more common. In this situation, heat dissipation becomes more important than ever. The thermal conductivity of industrial resins is influenced by the type of thermally conductive filler used, as well as the distribution, size and shape of the particles in them. The thermal conductivity given in data sheets is of limited value, as different test methods can give different values for the same material. This means that two resins that have the same thermal conductivity value in their technical data sheets may have very different properties depending on the application. To get a more accurate comparison, it is important to test the product in an actual application. This applies not only to industrial resins, but also to thermally conductive materials.
Raw materials of biological origin
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a priority, both worldwide for manufacturers and for us at MD Polonia. The use of bio-based resins is part of future-proofing. By changing the raw materials used in production, we can see significant technical advantages.
Bioresins are ideal for the electronics industry. They are characterised by excellent durability in wet, hot conditions and in underwater installations.
The economic aspect
When calculating the cost of individual resins, it is important to pay attention to their density. Most often, resins are priced per kilogram of product, whereas they are used in litres. In this situation, the density of the resin will affect the actual unit cost.
Try to consider this example:
Let’s take two resins under the magnifying glass, with the same apparent cost per kilogram
- Resin A has a density of 1 kg/L (equal to 1 g/ml, typical for an unfilled resin)
- Resin B is 2 kg/L (equal to 2 g/ml, a highly filled resin)
Mixing
Not all mixers are created equal, both in terms of manual handling and the use of a mixing and dispensing machine for large productions. Improperly mixed resin will not cure properly, leaving voids and a sticky or uneven finish. Even if there are no visible defects, it is very likely that the material does not have the expected final curing properties, which can lead to subsequent equipment failure.
Contact us for more information on encapsulating resins suitable for your application
