What's the difference between Envirotex lite gloss and Easy Cast Clear resin?

I want to make some pendants but do you have to use the easy cast resin or can you use something like envirotex to make it? They look the same but are they? Thank you!What's the difference between Envirotex lite gloss and Easy Cast Clear resin?
Both of the resins you mentioned are ';epoxy'; resins (the other main type of resin used for art/craft is ';polyester'; resin).





';Easy Cast'; is a fairly new epoxy resin that's a bit different from most regular epoxy resins (like Envirotex Lite, Ultra Glo, etc.).


Easy Cast has been formulated to be clearer when it's cast in molds deeper than 1/4'; or so than regular epoxy resin would be, and it has little or no odor... however, Easy Cast also cures a bit soft on the surface, and it's somewhat flexible if it's not really thick (those qualities show up more if the piece is warmed later--next to the body, in a pocket, etc).





So generally, if you want to ';cast'; resin in a mold (with a craft-type resin), you'll want to use a polyester resin. It will be clear everywhere it was NOT in contact with the air while curing which in a mold will usually be the back side of the cast piece. Polyester resins** are less ';good'; for one's lungs and skin though than epoxy resins.





**brands of polyester resin include:


Clear Polyester Casting Resin, with Catalyst (by Castin' Craft, ETI)


Lam-A-Cast Crystal Clear Casting Resin, with catalyst (same manuf.?)


Aristocrat's Casting Resin (not Aristocrat's Liquid Glass, which is an epoxy resin)


Clear-Lite Casting Resin (from Tap Plastics)





If you want to cast in a shallow mold however (probably with a release), or if you want to fill up a small ';cell'; permanently (e.g., in a tiny frame, over a picture, etc), or if you want to very-thickly coat something with a high gloss finish, then you'll want to use a regular epoxy resin. It will cure hard and clear on the surfaces exposed to the air, and maybe non-air surfaces too. (There would be no reason in those situations to have to accept the disadvantages of Easy Cast.)





There's loads more info on both types of resin, how to mix and apply them, color them, embed things in them, links to video lessons, etc., on this page at my site if you want to check it out:


http://glassattic.com/polymer/other_mate鈥?/a>





And this thread at craftster.com is a good thing to read through (though very long) or to ask questions (the lastest post there happens to a response I wrote on this very subject):


http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php鈥?/a>








HTH,





Diane B.