It’s okay to wonder if curing UV resin without UV light is possible or if that theory is just a myth. The most common way people cure UV resin is to attack with UV light, and that’s not far-fetched. But is it possible to cure UV resin without UV light? If that exists, is there some guide to curing UV resin without UV light?
It is possible to cure resin without UV light. But not all resin can be cured without UV light. There are two types of UV resin; the 1-part resin and the 2-part resin. The 1-part resin can’t be cured without UV light. But 2-part resin doesn’t require UV light to be cured, thanks to its components – a blend of resin and hardener.
This article will explore the various ways to cure UV resin without sunlight. It would also debunk supposed myths and answer questions like how long UV resin takes to cure in sunlight. And why curing resin with UV light might not be ideal. Read on.
How to cure resin without UV light?
By now, it’s clear that the 2-part resin can be cured without UV light. So, check out cool ways to fix it in the following subsections. Keep reading.
The blue light remedy
When the 2-part resin is the subject here, blue light is one of the ways to tackle it. Blue light is standard among dentists because it forms a huge part of their bleaching procedure.
While Blue light has far less electromagnetic radiation than UV light, it becomes a worthy UV light substitute for curing resin. Besides, they are a lot safer than UV lights.
Hardening solvents
Hardening solvents are another alternative to cure resin- especially resin-based glue. Dissolve the resin in a hardening solvent, and it will start to cure it in a couple of minutes.
If the solvent is on 3D parts, leave the parts exposed after curing the resin. That way, the solvent would wash off.
Heat
Another fantastic method to cure resin without sunlight is to deploy heat. Here’s how it works: the molecules inside become agitated when the resin is heated. When that happens, they begin to form bonds by colliding.
Then, it’ll start to wipe off. The room temperature should be set at 24 or 30ºC for this procedure to work. Note that too much heat is dangerous for the resin substance. At 24 or 30ºC, the resin would be 95% cured within 24 hours.
Hardening substance
Mix resin with a hardening substance to deploy this method. To clarify how this method works, mix the appropriate quantity of hardening substance with wet-liquid resin. Then, wait for the resin to harden.
Then, it’ll start to cure. The magic is mostly in the hardening substance as it would initiate the resin curing process when mixed in the right proportions.
Why do people use UV light to cure resin?
While curing UV resin with other methods is excellent, the most effective way is to cure it with UV light. Here are some reasons why people use UV light to cure resin
- SPEED:
Curing resin (1-part and 2-part) with UV light speeds up the curing process, especially when curing smaller 3D models. Typically, it’ll take a few minutes to cure resin on a smaller 3D model compared to a bigger one. Bigger models take longer hours to cure under UV light. But it is faster than curing resin with other methods. - SELECTIVITY:
UV light gives room for creativity through selectivity. When curing resin off a 3D substance, some parts can be left uncured for effect. - TEMPERATURE:
Perhaps, one of the most excruciating factors about curing resin with other methods is that it must be heated before the curing process begins. With UV light, heating or cooling the resin is not necessary. UV light cures resin regardless of the temperature in the room. - VENTILATION:
A common problem with curing resin through hardening solvent is that the fumes from the solvent will pollute the air. The room needs ventilation to get rid of the fumes.
Why is UV light not ideal for curing resin?
But of course, UV light is not entirely the hero of resin curing, and here’s why. Not all resins materials are transparent. The strength of UV light in curing resin lies in the transparency of the resin material.
So, if the resin is not transparent, the UV light alone won’t sufficiently cure the resin. UV light is terrible for specific contexts like the biochemical cast.
FAQs
- How Many Watts To Cure UV Resin?
When curing UV resin (1-part resin) with UV light, the ideal watts is a 9-watt UV lamp. Anything below 9 watts would take longer to cure the resin.
- What is the difference between UV resin and resin?
UV resin and resin share some differences. While UV resin is sensitive to UV rays, the 2-part resin isn’t. The resin is made from a resin and hardening agent mixture. UV resin doesn’t need to be mixed, and they’re more expensive than resin.
- Can you cure the 2-part resin with UV light?
Yes, UV light can cure the 2-part resin. But that’s not a necessity—other methods to cure 2-part resin that doesn’t require a UV light.
- How long does resin take to cure without UV light?
Curing resin without UV light is time-consuming. It’ll take approximately three days to completely cure resin off any material without UV light. But it could take less than 3 days, depending on the method. For instance, when the resin is mixed with a hardening substance, it starts to dry almost immediately.
- Can UV resin cure in sunlight?
Yes, UV resin can cure in sunlight. But UV resin would take longer to dry under sunlight. Typically, it would dry after a whole day under direct sunlight.
Last words
Now that this guide to curing UV resin without UV light has explored some effective methods to cure resin, it is essential to note that not all resins can be cured without UV light. These methods are effective against 2-part resin, not necessarily against 1-part resin.
In the absence of a UV lamp, the sun is a suitable UV light source that would cure 1-part resin- but it would take a while to dry.
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