If you’ve done any DIY repair and renovation work at home, you may have a first hand experience of how useful and convenient epoxy adhesives are. These types of adhesives are sold in most hardware shops, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that almost every household has it for emergency needs. Due to their incredible versatility and extremely high bonding strength, they have a wide range of applications in the household and more so in industry. But what exactly are epoxy adhesives, and how do they work? This article will elaborate the properties of epoxy adhesives such as our Plexus MA330 and explain how they work.
In order to know what epoxy adhesives are and what gives them their incredible strength, it is important to know the general formulation of the compounds that constitute them. Epoxies such as our Loctite Hysol E-60HP are made by polymerizing a mixture of two basic compounds: the resin and the hardener, when these two compounds mix, curing starts to begin.
Curing is a process in which molecular chains react at chemically active areas leading to an exothermic reaction. During this process, covalent bonds between epoxide groups of the resin and amine groups of the hardener result in the cross linkage of the polymer, determining the strength and rigidity of the epoxy.
The curing process can be manipulated by monitoring temperature conditions and choice of resin and hardener compounds. This can alter the mechanical strength and properties, as well as the thermal, electrical, and chemical resistance of the epoxy. By manipulating these curing factors, epoxy adhesives can be modified to be usable in a wide range of applications and operating conditions.
As a structural type adhesive with the broadest range of applications, epoxy adhesives are mostly offered either as a single component or double component system, and both have their unique properties.
One-part epoxy adhesives are made pre-catalyzed, so they require only moderate heat to cure. They also cure faster than two-part systems. This makes t using them easy and efficient. For applications in conditions that require high strength, excellent adhesion to metals, and resistance to various environmental elements and harsh chemicals, one part epoxy adhesives are cured at temperatures between 250 -300°F. With this type of curing, the epoxy is strong enough to be used as an alternative for welding and rivets.
Two-part epoxy adhesives on the other hand are not pre-catalyzed. Catalyzation occurs when the two parts are mixed and it takes place at ambient temperatures.However, heat treatment can be added to promote additional cross-linking resulting in superior bonding properties. Two-part epoxy adhesives can be used to bond almost all kinds of substrates except untreated plastic and elastomer. They have the advantage of being highly stable due to their ability to withstand weight and force for long periods of time. They also have incredible resistance to physical and chemical influence making them extremely reliable.
Conclusion
Epoxy adhesive can bond a wide variety of substrates, and their properties depend on the specific chemistry of the component system and the quality of cross-linking achieved. They are incredibly versatile and they can be used for bonding, sealing, coating, and encapsulation across various industries including electronics, medical devices, and aerospace.
If you’re looking for premium quality epoxy adhesives, Perigee is your one-stop shop to find all types of adhesives required for your needs. Contact us today and speak to our experts to get the perfect epoxy adhesive for your application.