MR. JO JR 3001 — Extra-Clear Unmodified Epoxy for Optical Casts & Decorative Coatings
MR. JO JR 3001 — Extra-Clear Unmodified Epoxy for Optical Casts & Decorative Coatings
Technical snapshot
- Type: Unmodified BPA epoxy resin (resin-only)
- EEW: 188–199 g/eq
- Viscosity: comparable to JR-3000 (mid-range), pumpable and degas-friendly
- Optical: Extra-clear grade — APHA < 20 (low tint)
- Packs: 10 / 20 / 30 kg and barrels; long shelf stability in company packaging
Primary problem addressed
Designers, kit manufacturers and finishers routinely face clarity failures: faint haze in deep pours, yellowing under light exposure, and colour shifts when pigments or hardeners are changed. These defects cost rework, degrade visual quality and reduce product acceptance. JR-3001 removes ambiguity at the base-resin level by providing a consistently low-tint, unmodified epoxy that behaves predictably with standard hardeners and additives.
Why JR 3001 works Guesswork
- Low intrinsic colour (APHA < 20) gives a neutral starting point for crystal-clear casts and coatings.
- Mid viscosity offers good wetting, easy pump/dispense and effective degassing for optical work.
- Resin-only design allows formulators to select hardeners to tune pot life, Tg and yellowing behavior. Remember: final colour stability depends heavily on hardener choice and post-cure.
Typical applications
- Artcasting (coasters, jewellery, inlays) and river tables where optical depth matters
- Decoupage and decorative coatings requiring mirror gloss and minimal tint
- Clear overcoats and top layers on colored base layers where transparency is critical
Job-ready workflow
- Plan & test: Always produce a small cured sample with your chosen hardener and pigments. Check clarity after full cure.
- Condition materials: Ensure resin and hardener are at stable room temperature (20–25 °C).
- Weigh & mix: Use scales; mix resin + hardener per hardener TDS. Mix slowly to avoid entraining air.
- Degas: For deep or gallery casts, vacuum-degass small batches. For larger pours run staged pours or pour after a thin seal coat.
- Pour & bubble control: Pour slowly from one side; use brief torch passes to pop surface bubbles.
- Cure & post-cure: Follow the selected hardener’s recommended schedule; post-cure where higher Tg and colour stability are required.
- Finish: Sand/polish after full cure for highest gloss.
Formulation & handling tips
- Select low-colour hardeners and UV-resistant topcoats to minimize long-term yellowing.
- Keep batch sizes conservative for large pours — reduces exotherm and bubble formation.
- Pre-seal porous inclusions (flowers, wood) to prevent outgassing.
Troubleshooting
- Core haze: trapped microbubbles or outgassing — degas, stage pours, preseal inclusions.
- Tacky cure: incorrect mix ratio, insufficient mixing or low temperature — recheck procedure.
- Early yellowing: evaluate hardener and exposure conditions; recommend UV topcoat or alternate hardener.
Choose JR 3001 when base-resin tint is a show-stopper. Combine with appropriate hardener selection and curing strategy for true optical results.
Leave a Reply