What Are the Characteristics of Using Epoxy Resin?

Understanding of epoxy resin

Epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and unsaturated polyester resin are known as the three major universal thermosetting resins. They are the largest and most widely used varieties in thermosetting resins. Epoxy resin contains unique epoxy groups, as well as hydroxyl groups, aldehyde groups, and polar groups, and therefore has many excellent properties. Compared with other thermosetting resins, epoxy resin has the most types and grades, and various properties.

Characteristics of using epoxy resin

Epoxy resin has great flexibility and diversity in formulation design. It can design highly targeted best formulations according to different usage and process performance requirements. This is one of the characteristics and advantages of using epoxy resin. However, each best formulation has a certain range of applicability (conditions), and cannot be used under any process conditions or arbitrary usage conditions. In other words, there is no "universal" best formulation. Different best formulations must be designed according to different conditions. Since the curing principles of epoxy resin curing systems with different formulations are not completely the same, the curing process of epoxy resin, that is, the influence of curing process conditions on the structure and properties of epoxy curing products, is extremely significant.

The performance of products obtained from the same formulations under different curing process conditions will vary greatly. Therefore, making the right best material formulation and process design is the key to using epoxy resin technology and also the trade secret. To be able to produce and develop epoxy materials with the required performance, it is necessary to design corresponding special formulations and their molding process conditions. Therefore, in-depth understanding and mastery of the structure and properties of epoxy resin and its curing agents, modifiers, and their reaction mechanisms and their effects on the structure and properties of epoxy curing products is essential. Only in this way can the best results be achieved in material formulation design and process design, and optimal performance and lowest cost epoxy materials and products can be produced and developed.

Different epoxy resin curing systems can be cured at low temperatures, room temperature, medium temperatures, or high temperatures. They can also be cured on wet surfaces or even in water, and can cure quickly or slowly, so they have strong adaptability to construction and manufacturing processes. Epoxy resin can be formed at low pressure or contact pressure, thereby reducing the requirements for molding equipment and molds, reducing investment, and reducing costs.

Among the three major universal thermosetting resins, epoxy resin is relatively expensive, which is why it has a certain impact on its application. However, due to its excellent performance, it is mainly used in situations where high usage performance is required, especially in fields where comprehensive performance is required.