The varied uses of Epoxy Resins


Wikipedia defines epoxy resins as “Epoxy is a copolymer; that is, it is formed from two different chemicals. These are referred to as "resin" or "compound" and the "hardener" or "activator.” The resin consists of monomers or short chain polymers with an epoxide group at either end.” One of the first attempts to make resins from the compound Epicholorohydrin was made in the 1920’s in the United States. These resins today are a multi billion industry in the United States and have a variety of uses that can either be commercial and industrial.

In the section below, we have discussed some of the applications and versatile uses of epoxyresins –

1. The adhesive industry uses epoxy based resins for the process of curing, which alters the chemical properties. These properties make these resins appropriate for coating and adhesive purposes. These resins form a thin protective layer around the object offering it excellent hardness. Used in industrial and automobile industry, they help to provide effective results in case of corrosion and its prevention.
   
   
2. Their residential applications may include its uses as paints or for color protectors. These resins have their uses in repairing things that are made of porcelain, things made of wood or leather, metal and glass.
   
   
3. When it comes to industrial uses, these resins have a wide usage in the cosmetic dentistry industry, communication industry in the form of fibre optics and optoelectronics. The electronics industry uses these resins widely for making insulators, and electricity conductors.
   
   
4. In electrical systems and electronics industry, these resins find its uses in motors, bushing, and insulators. Protection is provided to electrical components from external factors as dust or short-circuiting with the help of these resins.
   
   
5. One of biggest areas where these resins have their applications is in the marine industry. There are some important reasons due to which they are used in the marine industry. One of these reasons is the better mechanical properties as compared to the polyester resins that for it to be employed widely in the production of marine components. The other reason is their strength, property to fill gaps and adhesion.
   
   
6. Epoxy resins also have applications in the aerospace industries where they are mixed with fibre in order to construct structural matrix material.
   
   
7. Finally, these highly utilized resins are also used in biology for the sectioning of the samples which are later imaged using an electron microscope.
   
   
   Epoxyresins are highly durable, resistant and versatile, therefore, it is usual to find its usage in several different kinds of industries and applications, visit http://www.royceintl.com to know about the types of resins in details.
   
   

In the words of Wikipedia, “Epoxy, also known as polyepoxide, is a thermosetting polymer formed from the reaction of an epoxide "resin" with polyamine "hardener". Epoxy has a wide range of applications, including fiber-reinforced plastic materials and general purpose adhesives.” Epoxy is a copolymer comprised of two different types of chemical. Having an epoxide group at either end, it is also referred to as the “hardner.” Epoxy resins are generally formed by the polymerization process that is also referred to as curing.

It was quite common for people to use these resins in the older days for their boat making purposes. These resins not only help in forming a powerful waterproof barrier but also helped in increasing the strength when formulated properly. Today, these resins find their uses in different types of industries. Likewise, these resins can have various uses depending on their chemical properties, especially on the viscosity. In the section below, we have discussed the uses of these resins at different viscosity (with the temperature being maintained constant i.e. at 25 degrees). It needs to be understood that these epoxy resins can be formulated depending on the curing and changes in the viscosity.

1. At viscosity of 400cps to 450cps – This cured resin is formed by reaction between Bis-A Epoxy Resin and Polyglycol di-epoxide. This results in the increase of various properties such as flexibility and that of elongation.
   
   
2. At viscosity of 900cps to 1100cps – At this viscosity the resin has increased filler loading. It also leads to better electrical and physical properties. These resins find their applications in places where a resin with good solvent resistance is required to provide resistance.
   
   
3. At viscosity of 7500cps to 9000cps – This resin has its application in marine world, flooring and I the industry of civil engineering. The low viscosity of this resin makes it ideal for maintenance.
   
   
4. At viscosity of 1500cps to 1800cps – This low viscosity resin has it uses in various places such as high solid coatings, tank linings, civil engineering and in decoupage.
   
   
5. At viscosity of 4000cps to 6000cps – This is a type of halogen liquid epoxy due to its low viscosity. It is due to this that they are used in various electrical applications.
   
   
6. At viscosity of 10000cps to 16000cps – This is in liquid form and is a standard type of epoxy used in laminations, coats and other adhesive applications.
   

Epoxy resins are a kind of versatile chemical, which has its uses in variety of fields and application under different viscosities. To know more visit http://www.royceintl.com