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Epoxy adhesive – the most used industrial adhesive
Epoxy adhesives are by far the most common industrial adhesives and probably the most versatile structural adhesives. The popularity of epoxy adhesive is not the least due to the extreme toughness of the cured product nor their incredible ability to adhere to a wide range of materials. Epoxy resin adhesive systems are also easy to modify to make them meet the unique property needs of every individual project.
Epoxy adhesives are realized using different epoxy adhesive resin types which define the fundamental properties of the adhesive. The most suitable and strongest epoxy for specific application is usually determined by looking at the resin: a heat proof epoxy resin is the best when high temperature resistance is required where as a flexible epoxy resin is the go to solution when movement may be involved. Here yoy can find the general benefits of epoxy resin adhesives as well as the most common epoxy resin types and some epoxy adhesive applications.
What is so special about epoxy adhesives?
The presence of epoxy groups in the chemical formulations of the adhesives grants them several advantages. Epoxy resin adhesive can be modified and given desired properties rather easily, but all epoxy adhesives share some characteristics including:
- Chemical resistance: generally, all epoxy resins resist chemical exposure better than most alternatives. With modification epoxy adhesives can even withstand total immersion in harsh chemicals.
- Heat resistance: due to the chemical composition of epoxy, the adhesives are heat resistant by nature. Also a property that can be enhanced by modifying the formulation. Usually, epoxy adhesives are heat resistant up to 200°C (390°F). However, also heat proof epoxy resin types exist which withstand even higher temperatures.
- Durability and final strength: once cured, the epoxy bonds are among the strongest in industrial applications: they even hold the truck lift world record using adhesive, having lifted a 17, 500 kilogram truck. They also retain stability over a long period of time. Industrial epoxy adhesive systems that use various resins are among the strongest epoxy systems.
- Electrical properties: one of the desired properties of epoxy resin adhesive is its excellent electrical insulation which makes it suitable for applications like printed circuit boards.
- Watertightness: probably the most well known property of epoxy adhesives. Not only do they create strong bonds, but also effectively seal and make joints and gaps watertight.