Epoxy resins are used in practically every major industry including:
- Aircraft and aerospace
- Automotive
- Construction and Heavy Engineering
- Chemical
- Electrical
- Electronic
- Food and Beverage
- Light Engineering
- Leisure
- Marine
Epoxy resins display a unique combination of properties, making them one of the
most versatile polymers with uses across a wide variety of applications.
Adhesion
Epoxy resin's excellent adhesion to steel and concrete makes them popular with
the construction industry to repair work.
High strength adhesives are used in aircraft, aerospace and automotive
industries, for example, as a light-weight replacement for welding in the
construction of car bodies. Epoxy systems are used to formulate non-skid
surfaces at roundabouts, road junctions and accident 'black spots'. They also
protect steel reinforcement in bridges from corrosion and act as adhesives,
mortars and grouts in repair work. Epoxy adhesive are also used to bond road
marker buttons and stubs.
Corrosion and chemical resistance
Epoxy surface coating are used to line storage tanks and to make pipes and pipe
linings. Epoxy paints are used extensively as anti-corrosive primers and
topcoats as in ship hulls, decks, superstructures, tanks and for offshore
installations. In construction, the material is the automatic and standard
choice for such uses as epoxy resin based flooring which offers wear resistance
and protection as well as non-slip, easy to clean surfaces. Epoxy lining for
food and drinks cans protects the metal from corrosion caused by the contents.
It also protects the contents from contamination by the metal.
Strength/Durability
Epoxy systems are stronger than conventional concrete, with twice the
compressive strength and twenty times the tensile strength.
They are used to make tough floors which protects the underlying concrete
surface from chemical spillage's and mechanical stress. In mortars they provide
strong foundations for heavy machinery such as cranes.
Electrical insulation properties
Their electrical insulation properties makes epoxy resins a vital material for
electrical engineering with roles in the generation, transmission and
distribution of electricity. They are also used in electronic engineering; their
use in printed circuit boards is the largest single application for specialty
resins worldwide.