Resin

Resin flooring

[edit] Introduction

Resin is a very broad term used in many applications but typically it describes a synthetic plastic material that has many applications in the construction industry, usually in conjunction with other materials.

Synthetic resins typically comprise synthetic resinous compounds formed by the condensation or polymerisation of:

• Formaldehyde and urea.
• Phenol and formaldehyde.
• Phthalic anhydride and glycerol.
• Polyamides, vinyl derivatives and other sources.

[edit] Synthetic resin adhesive (SRA)

SRAs are made from thermosetting resins such as urea or phenol formaldehyde with the addition of an accelerator to regulate the setting process. They may also be made from thermo-plastic resins such as polymethylmethacrylate or polyvinyl acetate. There are many types on the market, including acrylic resins, MMA (methyl methacrylate) resins and epoxy resins.

[edit] Epoxy resin

Epoxy resin adhesives are used for bonding a wide range of building materials together e.g brick, concrete, metal, stone and wood. Epoxy resin has many applications, including being added to floor screeds to create a durable, non-slip surface; to make waterproof, durable flooring for footbridges, ramps, loading bays, roadways and wet-working environments; added to mortars, coatings and adhesives to impart strength and water resistance; and for injecting cracks in bricks, block, render and concrete.

[edit] Building applications incorporating resin

[edit] Glass reinforced plastic

Glass reinforced plastic GRP is a composite, laminate material produced by impregnating a cloth of woven glass fibres [1] with a synthetic resin, usually polyester-based. It can be mass produced or built-up by hand and, after curing, forms a complex matrix of plastic and glass fibre. It is sometimes referred to as glass reinforced polyester, fibreglass, glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) or fibre reinforced polymer (FRP).

The composite properties of high-strength glass-fibre and highly resilient plastic make GRP strong, lightweight and weather- and corrosion-resistant. It can also be manufactured to be fire retardant. It is therefore suitable for a very wide range of applications such as cladding panels, boat building, car bodies, cabinets and helmets.

[1] Molten glass that is that is extruded through a die into fine fibres which can then be spun into threads and woven into tapes and cloths.

For more information see: Glass reinforced plastic.

[edit] Plywood

Resin-bonded plywood comprises layers of wood veneer stacked one on top of the other and held together with synthetic resin, glue or glue-impregnated paper; the application of pressure and heat establishes the final product. It is usually water resistant and durable and can be suited to external use.

For more information see: Plywood

[edit] Resin driveways

Resin driveways are created by binding together small-stone aggregates with a resin, usually polyurethane based. The result is typically permeable and may be suitable for inclusion in sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS).

There are two types:

• Resin bound systems – these tend to be more popular resulting in a smooth, decorative surface of uniform appearance and durability. They are made by mixing selected coloured aggregates together with a specialist resin. The mix is hand-trowelled until smooth.
• Resin bonded – resin is applied to an existing prepared surface onto which aggregates are scattered, mimicking the appearance of loose gravel.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Architectural fabrics.
• Carbon fibre.
• Cladding.
• Composites.
• Fabric structures.
• Glass fibre.
• Glass reinforced plastic GRP.
• Graphene-reinforced concrete.
• Polyvinyl chloride PVC.
• Prepreg.
• Reinforced concrete.
• Smart concrete.
• Urban mining to reinvent concrete.