epoxy resin tagged posts

EPOXY RESIN

~ also known as polyepoxides; EP 828 acrylate; ED 20 acrylate; E 44, acrylate; YD 128 acrylate; Pacrosir VE 196, etc. is a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers which contain epoxide groups.

Epoxy resins may be reacted either with themselves through catalytic homopolymerization, or with a wide range of co-reactants including polyfunctional amines, acids, phenols, alcohols, and thiols. These co-reactants are often called hardeners or curatives, and the cross-linking reaction is referred to as curing. Reaction of polyepoxides with themselves or with polyfunctional hardeners forms a thermosetting polymer. As of 2006, the epoxy industry amounts to more than US$5 billion in North America and about US$15 billion worldwide.

Chemical structure:  C₂₁H₂₅ClO_5. Epoxy resins are lo...

When cracks form, microbeads embedded in the material break open and cause a chemical reaction that highlights the damaged area. Credit: Image courtesy Nancy Sottos

Damage developing in a material can be difficult to see until something breaks or fails. A new polymer damage indication system automatically highlights areas that are cracked, scratched or stressed, allowing engineers to address problem areas before they become more problematic. The early warning system would be particularly useful in applications like petroleum pipelines, air and space transport, and automobiles – applications where one part’s failure could have costly ramifications that are difficult to repair.

“Polymers are susceptible to damage in the form of small cracks that are often difficult to detect...