In this age of convenience, one of the aspects that makes any product valuable is versatility. Products today must be able to perform their designated functions well, but must also be able to be used in a wide variety of these functions. Hence, one of the most widely used products — both in industry and in everyday life — is an epoxy resin.
Epoxy resin is classified as a polymer, with its main qualities being that it is highly resistant to heat and chemical changes. Because of this, it has a wide range of applications, and today there are many suppliers, such as Sika, that manufacture and distribute different kinds of epoxy resin. These products are widely used throughout the world for a wide variety of purposes.
Here are some of the primary uses of epoxy resin:
Adhesives
Epoxies are most commonly used as adhesives, which bind two or more substrates together. What makes epoxy resin such a good material to use is that it is applicable on any kind of surface, from glass to plastic. Furthermore, they are more resistant to heat and chemicals than most glues, making them durable and long-lasting as well.
Because of their adhesive properties, epoxy resin is commonly used to repair everyday items. For example, cracked or broken glass and ceramic can be fixed using epoxy resin. Epoxy resin can also be useful in maintaining and strengthening these objects to prolong their usable life.
Coatings
Another property of epoxies that make them highly valuable is that they are resistant to corrosion. Because of this, they are commonly used to coat any items that are prone to developing rust over time, such as paint cans and metal containers.
Epoxies are also used as heavy-duty sealants. In particular, this application is useful for decorative floorings, such as those for terraces, chip flooring, and aggregate flooring. These types of flooring are available in a wide variety of colors and decorative patterns, making them widely used throughout the world in homes, offices, and public places. The epoxy flooring may also be augmented with polymer grit that adds an anti-skid finish.
Lastly, epoxies are also beginning to be used in the production of sustainable surfaces and countertops. When mixed with recycled glass and other discarded post-consumer materials, epoxies allow countertops to be primarily comprised of recycled materials.
Electronics and Circuits
Because of its resistant to heat and its adhesive properties, epoxy resin plays a large part in the electronics industry, particularly with regards to the production of insulators. Epoxies are able to provide good protection from dust, moisture, and wear and tear, which also prevents short circuitry and the breakdown of the circuit. As a result, epoxies are commonly used in the production of circuits as well, along with other components of electrical systems such as motors and transformers.
Paints
Epoxy paints are incredibly popular and found on a wide variety of goods, such as washers, dryers, and other appliances. Unlike enamel-based paints, paints mixed with epoxies dry quite quickly, similar to water-based paints. However, they provide a tough and durable protective coating, which stands in contrast to water-based paints.
Aside from these characteristics, epoxy paints have low volatility and clean-up, which makes them useful on cast iron and steel, and other metals. This is due to their resistance to heat, which also lowers the risk of flammability.
