Products made from resin are incredibly durable and resistant to rust, but is resin a plastic? And what sets resin apart from other materials? While resin is a type of plastic, it is not your generic plastic, for instance what you’d find on a cheap plastic planter. Instead, resin-based products are uniquely durable – read on to find out why.
What is Resin?
Resin is more than just a term used to describe a type of plastic. It is a composite blend that is rotationally molded into strong products that are affordable, lightweight, and can imitate the look of other materials like stone or granite.
While resin is a plastic, it is not the plastic found in most products – for instance the thin plastic used to make a bag. Our resin also differs from the resin planters at your local hardware store. Cheap resin planters are made from a high-density polyethylene, which means they are far more susceptible to damage. While the ordinary plastic planter will become brittle and crack over time, resin planters are far more durable than this.
The formula and manufacturing process we utilize make our resin superior to other forms of plastic on the market. As a result, we’ve created a line of products that can stand up to harsh weather, abuse, impact damage, graffiti, and more.
How Our Resin is Made
At TerraCast, our resin is a Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), which is a synthetic plastic material you could find in common products like outdoor trash cans. Resin is a popular choice because it can withstand many years of wear and tear. Our manufacturing process includes a process known as rotational molding, which involves building an object from the outside in. This provides strong edges and corner details that are very precise, adding to the strength of each product.
We create both halves of the mold and then fit them together, filling them with our proprietary resin powder base. Once the molds fit together, they are placed in a specialty oven that heats the mold and resin powder between 500 to 700 degrees, the exact temperature depends on the size and shape of the mold.
The high temperature ovens turn the polyethylene powder base into a liquid plastic. In the process, the two locked halves become one, providing the final 360-degree symmetry our products are known for, as well as excellent balance and strength for the long haul.
What Sets Resin Apart from Plastic?
- Resin does not crack, warp or break
While cheap forms of plastic will crack, warp and break very easily, resin will not. In fact, it can withstand temperatures that range between -40 and 140+ degrees. The material has an incredibly high resistance to freeze/thaw cycles, which commonly impact a variety of other materials when temperatures fluctuate between freezing and not freezing.
- Resin is non-hydroscopic
Our resin products are non-hydroscopic, that means they will not absorb moisture from the air, this prevents water damage.
- Resin is resistant to stains, including graffiti
The unique formula of our resin makes it incredibly resistant to stains, including graffiti. Most paints and debris will not bond to the material. Instead, you can remove most stains using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser product, or a pressure cleaner. In addition, since our resin is blended with UV-12 inhibitors, it is less susceptible to fading and discoloration from the sun.
- Resin is lightweight
This is something resin has in common with all types of plastic, it is lightweight. When compared to stone and other raw materials, TerraCast products are 75% lighter. As a result, you don’t need heavy equipment to move them and they are more affordable to move onsite than heavier materials.
- Resin can be made to imitate other materials like stone and granite
From stone to granite, our resin-based products can be made to look like other materials that are much heavier and less sustainable. In fact, custom products and colors are available upon request.
- Resin is fully customizable
You pick the color, shape, style and you can even add your logo or brand name. We have worked with cities and companies of all sizes to create a variety of custom products made right here in the USA.
- Resin products are recyclable
Many plastic products are recyclable, including resin. Our resin is made with as much as 100% post-consumer recycled material, which means it qualifies for LEED credits. Thanks to our careful in-house manufacturing process, it has minimal environmental impact associated with its manufacturing and fabrication.
Our resin is easily the winning choice when compared to other types of plastic and even other resin-based products on the market. In addition, it is the superior choice to granite, marble, and metal.
Browse our complete collection of resin products