Archaic gear prototypes made with resin 3D printing.
Archaic gear prototypes made with resin 3D printing.

Materials for prototyping: resins, putties and reinforcement fibres

Manual prototyping combines rigid resin casting, fibreglass lamination and epoxy putty modelling to build functional parts before launching a production run. The typical process starts with a fast-cast resin that reproduces the shape, reinforced with fibreglass fabric and epoxy resin, and refined with putty to achieve optimal surface finishes. At Feroca you'll find all the materials you need for each of these stages, whether you're making a single concept or validating a design in small batches.

Casting resins for rigid prototypes

Casting resin is the core of rapid prototyping. It lets you reproduce complex geometries in minutes, with a final hardness comparable to production parts. Choose the formulation based on the working time you need and the colour or finish required:

Fast-cast rigid polyurethane resins

Fast-curing polyurethane resins are the most productive option when you need to iterate on a design: they demould in 30–60 minutes, accept pigments, and can be machined, sanded and painted without difficulty. The 1:1 by volume mix simplifies the process and minimises dosing errors.

High dimensional precision polyurethane resins

When the prototype needs to reproduce tight tolerances or serve as a pattern for soft moulds, you need a resin with low shrinkage, high hardness and good detail reproduction. These formulations are especially suitable for engineering parts, presentation models and casting patterns.

Tip: For prototypes that need to be black through the mass without subsequent painting, use EasyFlo Black (Shore 70D, 1:1 ratio). If the prototype needs to be white and opaque through the mass, Feropur PR55 White offers the same chemical base as the standard PR55 with built-in white pigmentation.

Epoxy resins for structural lamination

When the prototype needs to be light but strong — housings, panels, load-bearing structures — laminating with epoxy resin and fibreglass is the go-to technique. The epoxy resin impregnates the fabric, bonds the layers together and cures to form a rigid, stable and workable part.

Hand laminating epoxy resins

Hand laminating resins have a low viscosity that makes fabric impregnation easy, and long working times that let you work at a comfortable pace. They are compatible with all fibreglass fabrics in the Feroca catalogue.

Reinforcement fabrics for laminated prototypes

Fibreglass fabric defines the final mechanical strength of the part. The higher the weight, the more rigidity and weight; the lower the weight, the easier it adapts to curves and the more transparent it is to gel coat. In prototyping it's common to combine a 300 g/m² mat as the structural layer with a thin surface veil that seals the surface.

Fibreglass mat and veil

High-strength structural fabrics

For prototypes that require thin walls and high specific strength, woven glass fabrics are preferable to mat: they offer a higher tensile modulus per gram and allow you to orient the fibres along the load axes.

Putties for modelling and surface finishing

Once the base part is built, putties let you correct geometry, fill pores and imperfections, and prepare the surface for painting or for taking a silicone mould. The choice between epoxy putty and polyester putty depends mainly on the substrate and the final finish required.

Epoxy putties for dimensional corrections

Two-component epoxy putties bond to most materials — including polyurethane, metal, wood and fibreglass — without needing a primer. They are the best option when you need to add volume, correct a profile or rebuild a sculptural detail before taking the final mould.

Polyester putties for filling and finishing

Polyester putties are ideal for filling large imperfections and preparing surfaces before painting. They sand easily, accept direct coating and are especially practical on fibreglass laminates and metal substrates.

Resin comparison table for prototyping

Product Type Hardness Working time Demould Main use
Feropur PR55+E55 Rigid PU 75D 80 s ~30 min Precision prototypes
EasyFlo 60 Rigid PU 65D 2.5 min 15-30 min Fast production, white colour
EasyFlo 90 Rigid PU 70D 5 min 60-120 min Complex geometries, low viscosity
EasyFlo Clear Rigid PU 72D 2.5 min 15-30 min Pigmented or translucent parts
Axson F40 Rigid PU 83D 6 min 1 h High strength, rigid moulds
SikaBiresin F38 Rigid PU 72D 2 min ~30 min Scale modelling, fine detail
Epofer Laminate 401 Laminating epoxy 90 min 24-48 h Structural fibre laminates
Epofer EX401+E432 Epoxy casting 90 min 48 h Blocks and solid parts

Frequently asked questions about prototyping

Which resin is best for a first functional prototype?

It depends on the level of detail and the time available. If you need to iterate quickly, EasyFlo 60 or Feropur PR55+E55 are the most practical options: 1:1 mix, demould in 15-30 minutes and sufficient hardness for functional testing. If the prototype needs tight tolerances and high strength, Axson F40 or SikaBiresin F38 are more suitable thanks to their low shrinkage and superior hardness.

Can I combine epoxy resin with fibreglass to reinforce a polyurethane prototype?

Yes, although the direct bond between cured polyurethane and epoxy is not chemical: it's mechanical. To achieve a solid bond, sand the polyurethane surface with 80-120 grit paper and apply the first epoxy layer with fabric impregnation before the base part has fully cooled. Epofer Laminate 401 with Mat 300 g/m² is the standard combination for reinforcing shells over PU prototypes.

Which putty should I use to prepare the surface before taking a mould?

If you need to add volume or rebuild a detail, start with Masilla Epoxica 610, which is hand-mouldable and bonds without primer. For the fine finish, move on to CRC Masilla Celulósica, which sands easily and leaves a surface ready to take a silicone mould directly, without the putty's pores interfering with the detail.

Which fibreglass fabric should I choose for a lightweight prototype with thin walls?

For thin walls and tight curves, Fibra de Vidrio Tejido 48 g/m² is the most manageable: it conforms well to the geometry and doesn't add excessive thickness. If the part needs structural rigidity, go up to 105 g/m² or combine 48 g/m² + 105 g/m² in alternating layers. Always finish with Velo de Superficie 34 g/m² to achieve a uniform finish with no fabric print-through.

Can I use polyurethane resins directly without a mould to build a prototype?

Yes, using open casting techniques in a container or perimeter box built from cardboard or polystyrene foam. Once the block has cured, you can machine, mill or sand it to get the desired shape. For this technique, EasyFlo 90 is especially suitable thanks to its low viscosity and 5-minute working time, which lets you pour successive layers without visible join lines appearing.

Do I need release agent with polyurethane resins?

Yes, always. Polyurethane resins bond strongly to most surfaces, including other polyurethane parts. Always apply a release agent — wax, PVA or spray release — to the mould before casting. The only exception is when you use platinum silicone moulds, which have intrinsic non-stick properties against polyurethane.

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