EPOXY RESIN FOR WOOD: River Tables

In recent years, interest in the use of epoxy resin for wood, both in furniture and decoration, has increased exponentially. This increase is due to its versatility and the power of social networks. The now famous “river tables” are an excellent example of this. This technique consists of selecting one or more pieces of wood and placing them separately on a flat surface, confined within a mould in the desired shape for the final table. Epoxy resin is then poured into the mould, between the gaps left by the pieces, until the wood fragments are slightly submerged. The final thickness of the table will depend on the height of the chosen wood pieces and is a critical factor in the selection and purchase of the epoxy resin and the success of the technique.

epoxy resin wood

In order to achieve good results, the technique must be well known and tests must have been carried out beforehand in small sizes following the desired design, since if we go straight to manufacturing the furniture we risk wasting a large amount of epoxy resin, wood and money.

This furniture is popularly known as river tables because, according to the first designs that went viral, two wooden boards are separated by a central channel through which the resin is poured, which is also pigmented in a blue tone to simulate the course of a river. Nowadays, the design possibilities are infinite and are left to the choice of the creator of this furniture, making each unit a unique piece of furniture.

As mentioned, the thickness of the table is a critical factor in choosing the right resin. This choice must be made in the knowledge that the chemistry of epoxy resins involves the mixing of two highly reactive components which, within minutes of mixing, release a large amount of energy (exotherm) which is used to transform the product from a liquid to an insoluble and infusible solid.

This energy will be greater the more mass of epoxy resin we have, and it can be dangerous to leave large quantities of a mixed epoxy resin in a pot.

Traditionally, epoxy resins have been used as a protective coating or as a matrix in composites combined with different types of fibres. In these traditional cases, the energy released by the reaction is able to dissipate quickly because the paint thicknesses never exceed 1 mm. For thicknesses greater than 10 mm and requiring transparency, overheating of the system would affect the colour (yellowing) and appearance (shrinkage, cracking) of the cured resin.

 

resin for river tables
resin for river tables
epoxy resin wood
epoxy resin wood
epoxy resin wood

GAIPOX CASTCLEAR: transparent epoxy resin

Having identified the problem, GAIRESA created a new epoxy resin for river tables. We are once again on the road to innovation with the GAIPOX® CASTCLEAR range of epoxy resins, designed for casting applications in large thicknesses, with the aim of achieving a final appearance of high transparency without the typical risks associated with the high exotherms of epoxy-amine reactions.

To achieve this, GAIRESA has designed reactive systems based on 100% aliphatic monomers, with inherent resistance to yellowing under the incidence of solar radiation and with very low exotherm to avoid problems of shrinkage, yellowing and “burning”. All 100% free of bisphenol-A and its derivatives.

The final result is pieces of high transparency and hardness, miscible with compatible pigments to give it colour or metallic appearance.

  • Low temperature rise in high thicknesses, even up to 60 mm.

  • High transparency.

  • Low viscosity to avoid air bubbles.

  • Minimal yellowing under sunlight.

  • Long working times for unhurried mixing of large volumes.

  • High hardness and scratch resistance.

  • Compatibility with metallic and universal pigments.

GAIDUR NANOCLEAR

One level above the GAIPOX® CASTCLEAR range, which in itself can be classified as a premium epoxy resin, is a totally innovative and unique GAIRESA development on the market. It is GAIDUR® NANOCLEAR 300, the best option when looking for a crystal epoxy resin, with a pure effect of total transparency, with no tendency to yellowing (proven with accelerated ageing tests in a climatic chamber) and maximum resistance to scratching.

We leave the best feature for last, and that is that with GAIDUR® NANOCLEAR 300 infinite thicknesses can be achieved without the risk of uncontrolled reaction or overheating that damages the resin, nor shrinkage or loss of properties. GAIDUR® NANOCLEAR 300 is the resin of choice for creating the most exclusive masterpieces.

  • Infinite thicknesses.

  • Transparent and colourless like water.

  • Low viscosity to avoid air bubbles.

  • No yellowing under sunlight.

  • Long working times to be able to mix large volumes without haste.

  • High hardness and scratch resistance.

  • Compatibility with powder metallic pigments (must be tested beforehand).