Whether you’re looking for a sealant, a coating, an encapsulation—or, of course, an epoxy glue—two-part epoxy is a great one-size-fits-all polymeric material.
A Closer Look
Since their development in the 1950s,1 they have come to be recognized for their versatility and performance in the world of adhesives. Two-part epoxy is made of a resin and a hardener. When mixed the hardener trigger polymerization, the chemical reaction that bonds monomer molecules together to form polymer chains, and leads to curing. In the right conditions, the epoxy will form a stable bond.
There are also one-part epoxies that are pre-catalyzed and cured with heat, but two-part versions tend to be stronger than one-part epoxies because of their bonding reaction.
The Advantages of Two-Part Epoxy
If you are in need of an adhesive, but still deciding what type is the right fit, we may be able to help. Check out our list of the benefits of two-part epoxy.
Endless Modifications
Perhaps the most notable two-part epoxy benefit is that it can be modified with pigments, fillers, and other resins to change its viscosity, bonding strength, flexibility, and many other properties. Because of its ability to adapt to so many modifications, it can apply to a variety of situations.
Two-Tiered Strength
Another pro of two-part epoxy is its high bond strength for a wide variety of substrates. Part of this strength lies in the chemistry of its two-part system. The other element of strength comes from its ability to accept a variety of modifications.
Numerous Potential Substrates
Because it’s available in so many forms and so easily modified, two-part epoxies have the benefit of being able to bond a variety of substrates. These substrates include rubber, metal, wood, glass, plastic, masonry, and more. Unlike many other adhesives, they are suitable for pretty much any substrate other than untreated plastic and elastomer.
Form and Function
In addition to being a strong adhesive, a two-part epoxy advantage compared to some other adhesives is their diversity in form and function. They come in liquid, paste, semi-cured film, and solid forms. They are great for filling gaps and electrical insulation and also exhibit high chemical inertness—meaning they aren’t likely to react poorly when exposed to a variety of chemicals.
Environmental Capacity
Because two-part epoxies are able to resist oil, moisture, and a lot of solvents, they’re great for use in a variety of settings and environments. In fact, they were formulated for demanding applications with extreme temperature changes, high vibrations, or mechanical shock.
Shear & Tensile Strength
Another two-part epoxy benefit is their shear strength. They’re good at resisting outside forces that try to cause the internal structure of the adhesive to slide against itself. In addition, their tensile strength, the ability to resist breaking while being stretched or pulled, is very high.
Temperate Bonding
A two-part epoxy can cure at room temperature, so you don't always need heat when using it. It achieves handling strength after anywhere between five minutes and eight hours depending on the curing agents. Of course, a chemical catalyst or heat can be applied to speed up the reaction between the resin and hardener if needed.
Diversity of Applications
If you work in an industry that uses adhesives at all, chances are you’ve come into contact with these adhesives once or twice. They have various applications in numerous industries including marine, automotive, aerospace, aviation, railway, appliance, electronics, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, construction, and more.
Of course, just because there are many two-part epoxy benefits to be had, it doesn’t mean that this is the right adhesive for you. Not to mention the fact that there are also several different two-part epoxy adhesives with unique properties.
To ensure you pick the right product for your application, our adhesive experts are here to help. Just reach out and we can help guide you.
Source:
- Assembly (2004). “Epoxies: One Component or Two?”
