Epoxy resins are incredibly versatile and functional, making them essential in various industries. They are used in adhesives, coatings and are critical in many applications. Let’s quickly look into the world of epoxy resins and explore their significant impact on diverse sectors.
Epoxy resins, commonly used in various applications, are typically produced through a chemical reaction between epichlorohydrin (ECH) and bisphenol-A (BPA). This reaction results in speciality resins in either liquid or solid form. The production processes for liquid and solid epoxy resins are similar. Initially, ECH and BPA are combined in a reactor, and a solution containing 20-40% caustic soda is added as the mixture is heated to its boiling point.
After the unreacted ECH evaporates, the resulting mixture is separated into two phases by introducing an inert solvent like Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Subsequently, the resin is washed with water, and the solvent is removed through vacuum distillation.
Producers incorporate certain additives tailored to the intended application to impart specific properties such as flexibility, viscosity, colour, adhesiveness, and faster curing to the resin.
To transform epoxy resins into a hard, infusible, and rigid material, they must be cured with a hardener. The curing process can occur at a wide range of temperatures, typically between 5 and 150 degrees Celsius, depending on the choice of curing agent. Primary and secondary amines are commonly utilised as curing agents for epoxy resins.
How is it used
Epoxy resins are incredibly versatile and find extensive use across many industries.
- In the adhesive industry, epoxy resins provide exceptional bonding properties, making them indispensable for various applications.
- They also play a crucial role in the coatings industry, where epoxy-based coatings offer superior protection, durability, and corrosion resistance, meeting the stringent requirements of sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and construction.
- In the electronics sector, epoxy resins are employed for encapsulating electronic components, circuit boards, and insulating materials.
- Within the construction field, epoxy resins are utilised for flooring, waterproofing, and concrete repair due to their remarkable strength and chemical resistance.
The aerospace industry uses epoxy resin in many innovative ways, including spacecraft hardware fabrication, space suit reinforcement, and improving flame retardancy. This thermosetting polymer’s combined adaptivity and flexibility make it ideal for use in many space travel solutions. They are also used in spacecraft for staking, sealing, coating, encapsulating, potting, and bonding various structural, electronic, and mechanical components.
They also play a vital role in water resistance and structural integrity in the marine industry. At the same time, the automotive and aerospace sectors rely on them for lightweight composites, adhesives, and coatings that enhance performance and safety.
These are just a few examples of how it contribute to various industries, showcasing their versatility and exceptional properties.
How can Redox help
Redox sells and stores epoxy resin products in various countries, including Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and Malaysia.
Discover how Redox can empower your organisation and unlock the full potential of your sourcing capabilities. Contact us now and experience the advantage that Redox brings.
National Science Week is an annual celebration of science and technology in Australia. It happens every year in August and has more than 1000 events around the country, delivered by different types of organisations such as universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.
The school theme for National Science Week in 2022 will be “Glass: More than meets the eye.” This is to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Glass, Celebrating the past, present and future of glass for a sustainable, equitable and better tomorrow.
In helping to celebrate National Science Week, we thought we could bring our expertise to this year’s school theme – Glass. Redox are very active in this market with a customer base of roughly 154 assorted customers specialising in producing glass products.
Being a leading chemical and ingredients distributor, we supply our customers with various products to help them produce hundreds, if not thousands, of products made of glass.
What are some of the chemicals we supply?
Materials such as:
- Dense Soda Ash,
- Boric acid,
- Borax and,
- Potassium Carbonate,
- Monobutyltin Trichloride,
- Sodium Sulphate.
Are all used in the manufacturing of glass products. But, how are these chemicals used in glass products?
Let’s look a little closer – Monobutyltin Trichloride.
Monobutyltin Trichloride or MBTC’s most critical application area is glass coating. MBTC is used to increase the scratch resistance of glass. A tin oxide coating is applied that closes microcracks and improves resistance to physical effects. It’s an essential raw material for this coating.
In the production of flat glass, for example, it’s combined with other ingredients in a uniform formulation that creates an even and thin layer.
Steve Jobs, the late Apple CEO and innovator known for his innovative genius in technology, sought out Corning’s help to make a screen that would be thin yet durable. Then they came up with Gorilla Glass, which dominates mobile device sales today because it can withstand drops up five feet without breaking or sustaining any damage!
It’s also used to coat containers (bottles, glasses, etc.), where Monobutyltin Trichloride is applied directly via gravity slides, which is depressed into the shape of the final bottle. The still hot bottles then pass through a coating stage where an MBTC vapour is sprayed on the hot surface, which is oxidised. This creates a layer of tin oxide, which forms the coating.
Another critical application the glass industry employs comes from Sodium Sulphate. It’s used as “fining agent” to help remove tiny air bubbles within molten glasses and prevent scum formation during refining. The chemical also fluxes the melts while it prevents melt segregation or caking on equipment by preventing negative interactions between components like acidity levels with base stocks such as silica sand.
Endlessly recyclable and natural
“We’ve been making glass for thousands of years, and we still don’t have a good idea of what it is,” says Mathieu Bauchy, a glass expert and materials researcher at UCLA. One thing we do know, unlike many other materials that become dangerous waste, glass can be recycled and refilled an infinite amount of times without losing clarity, purity or quality.
Have a great National Science Week.
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