Epoxy Resin Countertops - Physical Test Results
Water Absorbtion
| Method: | ASTM D570 |
| Description: | This test measures the amount of water absorbed during immersion in water. It is most relevant to applications where high humidity or long term submersion in water may be present as service conditions for the product. |
| Result: | 0.010% |
| Analysis: | Epoxy resin does not absorb moisture. |
Fire Resistance
| Method: | ASTM D635 |
| Description: | This test measures the material’s response to being subjected to an open flame. The sample is marked with start and finish lines. The flame is applied for a set period of time and then removed. The sample is judged on the time it takes for the flame to travel between the lines, or whether it ever gets to the starting line after the flame is removed (if not it is self-extinguishing). |
| Result: | Did Not Ignite |
| Analysis: | Epoxy resin is flame-resistant. |
Specific Gravity
| Method: | ASTM D792 |
| Description: | The specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of the material as compared to the weight of the same volume of water. The density is the material’s actual weight per unit of volume. |
| Result: | 128.6 lbs./cubic ft. |
| Analysis: | For comparison, specific gravities of: solid granite - 168 lbs./cubic ft., concrete - 148 lbs./cubic ft., marble - 160 lbs./cubic ft.. Epoxy resin is a very dense material (weighing approximately 11 lbs./sq. ft.). |
Rockwell Hardness M
| Method: | ASTM D785 |
| Description: | A Rockwell hardness number is directly related to the indentation hardness of a material, with the higher the reading the harder the material. The results obtained by this test method are not generally considered a measure of the abrasion or wear resistance of the material in question. |
| Result: | 108 |
| Analysis: | Epoxy resin is a very hard material -- hard to indent. Note that this test is not an abrasion or mar test which are often associated with scratch resistance. While epoxy resin tops are extremely durable, they are susceptible to surface scratching and should be treated with care. |
Heat Resistance
| Method: | ASTM D648 |
| Description: | This test reflects the temperature at which the material bends under pressure and heat. It is most relevant to high heat applications or very long term medium heat conditions like an oven or high temperature bath that is constantly operating. A test specimen is loaded in 3-point bending in the edgewise direction. A stress of 264 psi is applied at the center of specimen. The temperature is increased at 2° C/min until the specimen deflects 0.25 mm (0.010 in). |
| Result: | 193° C |
| Analysis: | Epoxy resin can withstand a great deal of heat before deflecting. For comparison, solid-surface material deflects at 90° C under the same test conditions. |
Modulus of Flex
| Method: | ASTM D790 |
| Description: | The flex modulus refers to the rate at which a material deflects (bends or sags) as weight is put on it. A test specimen is loaded in 3-point bending and a load is applied to the center at a specified rate. The test is stopped when the specimen reaches 5% deflection or the specimen breaks before 5%. |
| Result: | 2,210,000 psi |
| Analysis: | Epoxy resin, although extremely rigid, will flex (bow). Unsupported spans of countertop or shelving longer than 36" should be avoided. |
Compressive Strength
| Method: | ASTM D695 |
| Description: | The compressive strength test refers to the strength of the material as it is squeezed across its thickness (compressed). |
| Result: | 30,500 psi |
| Analysis: | The compressive strength of epoxy material is generally far greater than that of the casework below it. It is so much greater that it is practically impossible to apply enough weight to the casework/top assembly to get the countertop to fail in a compression mode before the load is too heavy for the casework to bear. |
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Epoxy Resin Countertops
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Performance