LUMENTIFY
Why epoxy resin works so well
A transparent carrier lets light reach the pigment and get back out – the most important precondition for a strong afterglow. Our pigment is inorganic and SiO₂-coated; only high temperatures and strong acids attack it. It is therefore well suited to two-component systems such as epoxy resin.
Loading
The guide value is 15–20 % pigment relative to the resin. Test every formulation on a small scale first. Use the pure pigment – not a ready-made glow paint.
Important for expectations: the pigment is not transparent and gives the resin a whitish sheen. Loading and layer thickness shift the balance between clarity and brightness.
The main problem: settling
In low-viscosity resin the heavy pigment settles – in the end only the underside glows. Coarser grades glow brighter but also settle faster. Three approaches have proven themselves:
- Let it gel: let the resin start to gel until it is slightly thicker, then stir in the pigment.
- Thicken: increase the viscosity of the resin so the pigment stays in suspension.
- Layer deliberately: add the pigment only to a top layer – where it should be visible.
Air bubbles stirred in can be removed with a heat gun.
Pigment, granules or glow stones?
| Raw material | Effect in resin | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| Pigment (1–150 µm) | a mass or layer that glows throughout | cast objects, coatings, technical parts |
| Granules (up to 1 mm) | visible, individually glowing grains | glowing veins, inclusions, river tables |
| Glow stones (from 4 mm) | individual glowing elements | design and decorative objects, cast-in stones |
Glow colour and durability
Natural green and blue-green glow brightest. Tinted shades usually work well in resin because epoxy mostly cures at room temperature or slightly above. In very thick casts, however, the heat of reaction can rise considerably – check your resin's data sheet, because tinted pigments do not belong in the system from approx. 150 °C. For objects with permanent UV exposure, the untinted pigments are the safe choice, as the organic dyes in tinted shades may be less UV-stable.
In short15–20 % pure pigment, let the resin gel or thicken it first, test on a small scale – and for visible glow effects use granules or glow stones instead of pigment.