Characteristics and applications of epoxy resins
Combining a variety of resins and hardeners, it is possible to obtain materials that will have different properties, from rubber-like to hard and hard, superior to steel in strength. To date, epoxy resin, whose properties exceed the characteristics of all other materials based on synthetic resins, is used in any industry.
The most universal and reliable adhesive is epoxy. Due to its strength and good adhesion of the adhesive joint, it equally well fuses the shoes and the details of the aircraft. Impregnating material for glass fiber and glass fabric is used for the manufacture of fiberglass, which is used in shipbuilding, construction, aircraft manufacturing, manufacturing of machine parts, etc.
In addition, such resin is a part of coatings for waterproofing and chemically resistant coatings, as well as in paints for interior andexternal works, waterproofing and hardening impregnations for wood, concrete and other porous materials.
Durable transparent epoxy resin can be used for pouring, as a compound, in various areas, from construction to electronics, as well as for designer exclusive works.
A variety of epoxy resins
There are several groups of epoxy resins that include several more subspecies:
- Epoxy-diane
ED-22 - a relatively low viscosity liquid resin that crystallizes during storage has a universal purpose.
Epoxy resin ED-20 is the most used liquid resin. It is used in pure form in industry, and for composite materials - in the form of components of impregnating compounds, casting compounds, in sealants, adhesives, binders for reinforced plastic and protective coatings.
ED-16 is a highly viscous resin, which is used for fiberglass in the form of a binder. ED-10 and ED-8 are solid resins used for casting compositions in the electrical and radio engineering industry.
- Epoxy-dian resins for paint coatings
Grades E-40r, E-40 are used for making putties, enamels, paints, varnishes, coatings resistant to chemicals and aggressive environmental factors. E-41 - this composition of epoxy resin is used for the manufacture of varnishes, casting compositions, enamels, putties, and adhesives.
- Epoxy-modified resins of EPOFOM grade( epoxy compound used in pipelines repair, filling floors and coatings)
Epof-1,2,3 - these grades are used in the form of protective coatings against corrosion of concrete and metal building structures, they also protectproducts from the influence of chemically aggressive media. You can see them in use for leveling the finishing layer, as well as applying to different bases.
Sometimes such a resin is successfully used for the installation of monolithic bulk floors of concrete and waterproofing. The role of these compounds is important for the production of injectable compositions for reinforcing reinforced concrete structures and for gluing various materials.
Epof-1s - this option is used in the form of an impregnating element of tubular material for repair of pressure supply networks for cold water supply and sewage pipelines without their extraction from the ground and dismantling.
Species of special purpose epoxy resins
Compositions that have already cured, based on special-purpose resins, have special technological and physico-mechanical properties that enable them to be used during operation in extreme conditions, as well as in products that are constantly exposed tothe external environment in different fields of technology and industry.
EA resin is used to create low viscosity epoxy compounds, which are used in the form of impregnating, casting and gluing compositions, as well as in the form of a diluent of binders. The brand UP-610 is used for the production of high-strength fiberglass, impregnating and casting compositions, special composite materials and adhesives. And its almost relative UP-643 is an epoxy two-component resin, it is present in the composition of chemical and heat-resistant binders for fiberglass, compounds in the electrical engineering industry, adhesives.
Resin ECD( chlorine-containing) - can be used as a basis of sealants and adhesives, casting compounds, binders for glass and carbon plastic, which have maximum mechanical properties, excellent heat and moisture resistance, low combustibility, excellent weather resistance, and the harmfulness of epoxy in thiscomposition is relative, and many consider this a typical myth.
UP-637( which is based on resorcinol) is used for the production of impregnating and casting compositions, binders for structural fiberglass and adhesives. And the variety UP-631 successfully copes as a component in the production of non-flammable and self-extinguishing compounds for pouring, impregnating, coatings, adhesives.
Rules for the use of epoxy resins
There are several rules for applying epoxy resin on different substrates:
- 1. The surface must be cleaned of traces of oil and grease;
- 2. The substrate should not be glossy.
To comply with these rules, there are two solutions: wash the surface with a solvent or sand the top layer. To apply resin in several layers, there is no need to wait for the first to dry out. The lower layer can be sprinkled with quartz sand, only if its technology allows.
After this layer hardens, remove excess sand, and you can apply the next. Do not allow water to enter the resin, as it will become turbid and lose its properties. But there are mixtures on an aqueous dispersion, which must be diluted with distilled water before use. Such formulations will not be adversely affected.