XCR is a special high clarity epoxy developed for demanding visual applications including carbon fibre skinning, board manufacture and wood finishing. It is highly UV resistant and is intended for use where laminates will remain unpainted, showcasing reinforcements like carbon fibre or natural fibres, inlaid graphics or wood grains.
Sold as a kit (resin and hardener). Available to buy online in 500g, 1kg and 5kg kits.
Before use please ensure that you read and understand the safety and technical datasheets available on the Easy Composites website.
XCR™ Epoxy Coating Resin is an extreme performance, high clarity clear epoxy varnish developed for demanding visual applications including carbon fibre skinning, board manufacture and wood finishing. XCR is intended for use where laminates will remain unpainted, showcasing reinforcements like carbon fibre or natural fibres, inlaid graphics or beautiful wood grains.
To ensure the perfect finish, XCR carbon fibre skinning resin uses special technology to enhance fibre wet-out and expel trapped air. Its fast cure allows multiple layers to be built-up in minimum time, significantly speeding up 'skinning' processes requiring multiple coats.
XCR will cure to a hard, durable, UV resistant finish which can be flatted and polished to a high gloss or over-painted with a suitable clear coat/lacquer. The resin offers excellent cured mechanical properties making it suitable for use laminating or finishing sports/recreational equipment.
XCR's distinctive 'purple' colour is due to the advanced UV protection agents used in the resin. Once mixed with its hardener this colour diminishes and when used as directed as a thin coating, the tint is barely detectable and in fact enhances the appearance of fibres (such as carbon fibre) and inlaid graphics. Once cured, XCR needs to be flatted (using abrasive paper) and then polished (using a cutting/polishing compound) to achieve a high gloss finish.
XCR Epoxy Coating Resin is NOT intended as a coating resin for artwork. For particularly colour-sensitive projects requiring a self-levelling 'pour and leave' finish, for this sort of application GlassCast Resin should be used.
Typical Uses
XCR Epoxy Coating Resin due to its high performance and stunning visual clarity can be used for a wide range of uses including but not limited to:
Further Information
Compatibility Information - Dos and Don'ts
Although by no means an exhaustive list, the materials, pigments and additives listed below have all been tested and are known to work well with XCR Epoxy Coating Resin.
Key Processing Information
For more detailed process specific information, full instructions and mechanical data, please download the technical datasheet from the datasheets tab.
Overlaminating with Other Materials
In the same way that XCR can be used to apply a glossy, hard wearing 'skin' of carbon fibre to any part, it can also be used to apply a durable, glossy layer of almost any fabric or material to a wide range of objects including furniture, interior trim or even music instruments. Materials including natural fibres (coconut mat, coffee sacks, flax), fabrics (denim, printed fabrics) and technical materials can all be used to create stunning, unique surfaces to a wide range of objects.
Board Building and General Laminating
Not only does XCR provide a clear, vibrant finish to a range of reinforcements and substrates, it also has excellent mechanical properties comparable to most structural laminating epoxies and so can be used as a clear, UV stable laminating resin in conjunction with reinforcements like carbon fibre, glass fibre and natural reinforcements like flax and jute.
Its hard-wearing, fast curing properties make XCR ideal for a range of 'hot-coating' processes such as laminating EPS cores for surfboard manufacture. XCR is entirely solvent and styrene free and will not attack or affect EPS foam. Once fully cured, XCR's advanced mechanical properties offer excellent strength and damage tolerance.
The clarity and UV stability of the resin further enhance inlaid graphics or the natural appearance of the reinforcements used. When used in conjunction with appropriate grades of glass reinforcement, XCR can produce a laminate of excellent clarity.
Coating Wood
XCR has outstanding properties when used to preserve, protect, strengthen and enhance wooden surfaces. When applied to wood surfaces such as boat decking, traditional skis and boards or furniture, XCR can be used to create a hard-wearing protective layer which can be flatted and polished to a deep, glossy finish.
Hardener Crystalisaton
The Hardener is sensitive to low temperatures and if the hardener gets cold (either in storage or transport), it can crystalise; this does not damage the hardener at all and can be reversed by warming the hardener in its container with the lid securely in place. The longer it has been crystallised, the longer it will take to reverse. This can be achieved by sitting it directly onto a radiator, putting it into an oven on a low setting or standing the container in hot water. We recommend mixing the resin at around 20C to prevent it crystallising while being mixed or used.
Any Questions?
The team behind XCR Epoxy Resin are on hand to help with any questions you may have, whether you want help with calculating or need advice on mixing, pouring or troubleshooting.
If you need any help or advice just call us, we're here 5 days a week; 8am to 5:30pm (Mon-Fri) and what we don't know about Carbon Fibre Skinning and Laminating isn't worth knowing!
Delivery
XCR Epoxy Coating Resin is held in stock in the Easy Composites warehouse in Stoke on Trent. All orders are dispatched same-day (orders received before 12:00) for next-working day delivery. Because Epoxy Resin is classified as 'dangerous goods' it can only be sent by specialist carrier.
Trade counter collections are welcome; please contact us to arrange.