Composition and properties of epoxy glue, types and instructions for use

In everyday life, you often have to deal with gluing products made of various materials that differ in density, texture and other characteristics. Epoxy glue, which is characterized by high reliability and density, is considered a universal means for gluing various products.

What is epoxy resin

Epoxy is a transparent material used to bond many surfaces. For the first time such a liquid appeared on the market in the middle of the last century. Only a few years after its appearance, resin became popular among builders. The technical characteristics of this adhesive allow it to be used in various fields. Resin is used not only in domestic or industrial production, but also in shipbuilding.The rapid development of new technologies contributes to the emergence of new types of adhesives and the improvement of their characteristics.

Epoxy resin is not used in its pure form, since it acquires all its useful properties only after mixing with a hardener, which speeds up the polymerization process.

Composition and properties

Before using a universal adhesive solution, you should familiarize yourself with its properties and the components included in the composition.

Resin

Some people think that the resin only contains a hardener, but this is not the case. In addition, it contains plasticizers, fillers and solvents. Used as fillers:

• beryllium, vanadium, aluminum oxide and other powder components;
• carbon fibers;
• glass fibers.

There should not be many fillers, and therefore their percentage should not exceed 35-40%.

Among the solvents used in the composition, there are:

• xylene;
• alcohol;
• acetone;

Solvents are added to epoxy adhesives to cure faster. Their amount should be about 5-6% of the total volume of glue.

Hardener

The main component of any epoxy adhesive is considered a hardener. Polyamides, organic resins, anhydrides and polymer-type hardeners-modifiers are added to the compositions. By mixing resins with hardeners, a reliable adhesive mixture is obtained that can withstand both low and high temperatures.

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Varieties of products

There are different types of epoxy compounds that you should familiarize yourself with in more detail before using them.

Fast-drying EDP adhesive

Many people use EDP glue, the main feature of which is considered to be a high drying rate.It is used for bonding products made from:

• drink;
• rubber;
• ceramic;
• concrete;
• gland;
• glass;
• Plastic.

The composition of such EPD solutions contains components that make the glue resistant to low temperatures and high humidity. Before using the quick-drying agent, the treated surfaces are washed from dirt and degreased. This is done to make the adhesive bond more secure.

Bi-component

Two-component compounds are called compositions based on a special hardener and resin, which are responsible for reliable adhesion of surfaces. Distinctive features of two-component mixtures include their ability to adhere to any materials and resistance to solvents with oils. Experts do not advise using such glue for gluing electrical insulating materials, since it contains a steel filler.

Advantages and disadvantages of epoxy resins

Epoxy, like any glue, has certain pros and cons that need to be considered. Key benefits include:

• Resistant to temperature changes. Epoxy adhesives do not lose their properties at low and high temperatures.
• Persistence. The second important advantage of the resin is its resistance to the effects of petroleum compounds, gasoline, chemicals and detergents.
• Elasticity. The mixture has a high level of elasticity, due to which the adhesive bonds are not broken even when the glued products are moved.
• Waterproofing. The glue has good waterproofing properties that allow it to be used in conditions of high humidity.

However, the resin has several disadvantages:

• too fast drying of the glue applied to the surface;
• inability to use when gluing silicone products;
• difficult washing of dried glue mixture residues.

Scope and principle of operation

It's no secret that epoxy adhesive solutions have universal properties, thanks to which they are used in various fields of industry and economy:

• Building. Such a solution adheres well to metal products to concrete, ceramic tiles, as well as reinforced concrete structures. Some people use it to cover surface cracks.
• Mechanical Engineering. Epoxy resins are essential when repairing bodywork, gas tanks or upholstery. They are also used when installing brake pads and plastic products.
• Shipbuilding. Many people are unaware that epoxies are often used in the shipbuilding industry. They are used when installing high load fasteners and fastening fiberglass materials. In addition, the surface of the boats is treated with resin to protect it from rotting.
• Aeronautical sphere. With the help of glue, the joints are reinforced, and the heat-insulating outer coating is also fixed.

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Preparatory work for the application of epoxy

To correctly apply the glue to the surface, you need to understand the features of the preparatory work.

Materials and tools needed

First of all, you need to prepare all the tools and materials that will be used during the work:

• a bowl, bucket or other container in which the epoxy glue solution will be stirred;
• an epoxy resin;
• hardener;
• brush or roller to apply the prepared mixture to the surface.

Resin/hardener ratio

Too little or too much hardener can adversely affect the properties of the adhesive, and therefore the proportions must be observed when creating the solution.If you mix the components correctly, you get a high-quality mixture that is resistant to moisture and moisture.

The lack of hardener leads to the fact that the liquid is too thin and too inelastic. If you dilute the mixture with an excess of hardener, the glue will not stick well to the surface. Experts advise to dilute the components in a ratio of ten to one.

Consumption per 1m²

Determining the exact consumption of resin is not easy, since it depends on the purpose of its use. Also, the consumption is influenced by the characteristics of the treated surfaces. They can be rough, absorbent and porous. Experts recommend applying a minimum amount of solution to the surface. On average, 250-350 grams of adhesive are consumed per square meter.

How to mix the working solution

Before mixing the components, you need to figure out how to properly dilute them. First you need to heat the resin to make it thicker. To do this, it is placed in a container with heated water for 5-10 minutes. Then the resin is added to the hardener and mixed thoroughly for 2-3 minutes.

Epoxy working technology

The instructions for using the glue contain all the necessary information that will help you get acquainted with the peculiarities of using the glue solution.

Before using epoxy, prepare the surface:

• get rid of dirt and dust;
• wipe the surface with sandpaper;
• degrease with gasoline, acetone or alcohol;
• dry thoroughly.

After preliminary preparation, they proceed to gluing. The process takes place in several sequential steps:

• Fixing glued products. All parts to be glued are firmly fixed.
• Application of the first coat.A thin layer of resin does not adhere well and is therefore applied several times to the surface. The first thin layer is evenly distributed over the surface so that there are no gaps.
• Application of the second coat. The next layer is applied 5-7 minutes after the previous one.
• Disposal of residues. At the end, residues of dried resin are carefully removed from the surface.

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Security engineering

When using epoxy, you must be very careful not to get any on the surface of the skin. For this, it is recommended to wear resistant rubber gloves and safety glasses. If glue particles come into contact with the skin, do not use solvents to remove them.

Experts advise using a special glue that will remove the resin from the skin.

Epoxy Resin Curing Conditions

It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the conditions in which the glue hardens faster.

Temperature

The setting speed of the applied adhesive is influenced by the ambient temperature. The solution hardens easily at room temperature. However, in order for it to harden faster, some heat it up to 40-45 degrees.

Humidity

Despite the fact that the resin tolerates high humidity, it dries slowly in humidity. The hardening of the mixture is sometimes accelerated in conditions of moderate humidity.

Lighting

Lighting has a positive effect on the hardening of the resin, so care should be taken to ensure that the bonded product is well lit.

how dry

People who are going to use epoxy resins are interested in the drying time of the composition. It is not easy to accurately determine the drying time of the solution, since it depends on various factors. At room temperature, the composition dries in 2-3 hours.To speed up the process 2-3 times, you will need to increase the air temperature by 8-12 degrees. For this, electric heaters are installed near the glued part or its surface is heated with a construction site hair dryer.

What temperature and load can withstand

The product, bonded with epoxy, easily withstands all vibration loads. The connecting point has a high impact resistance and is therefore not damaged even by strong impacts.

This resin is excellent for high and low temperature use. Operating temperatures range from -100 to +150 degrees. In this case, the solution tolerates sudden temperature jumps of more than 50 degrees. This allows the use of epoxy for fixing products installed in freezers or chimneys at critical temperatures.

Conclusion

When gluing various parts, high-strength epoxy adhesives are often used. Before buying them, you need to understand the properties of these mixtures, their varieties, advantages and features of application.