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LARRYN SMERLING | DS 224 | FALL 2020

EPOXY

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Source & Production

Epoxy refers to a broad group of reactive compounds that are characterized by the presence of an oxirane or epoxy ring (the ring is an oxygen atom bonded with two previously bonded carbon atoms); this defines a molecule as an epoxide. The molecule base is the start of several classes of epoxy resins.

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Production of artificial resins starts with a process called cracking (different types of hydrocarbons are heated to separate molecules). After the base compound is made, additives are put into the mixture to give the product its desired traits.

Characteristics

  • resistance to corrosive liquids and environments

  • superior electrical properties

  • high temperature and chemical resistance

  • good adhesion to a substrate

  • strength to weight ratio good

  • electrical insulation 

  • extremely low shrinkage

  • almost no odor

Maintenance

Requirements 

  1. Routine maintenance 

    1. soft bristle broom/ dust mop, best to sweep or mop daily.

    2. Heavy-duty cleaning after sweeping away any debris, hard foam mop, hot water, and clear ammonia. 

  2.  An epoxy floor can be hosed down and squeegeed dry.

  3. Cleaning products

    1. no products that contain acids or soap-based cleaners

      1.  can leave a residue 

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When epoxy resin is completely polymerized (cured), it cannot further contaminate the environment. Epoxy resin and hardener can be detrimental to the environment if they are poured down a drain before they are polymerized.

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Most epoxy is petroleum-based. Since oil is a finite resource, it does have negative environmental implications from its production.
 

Indoor air quality:

Among the engineering thermoset plastics, epoxies are generally recognized as emitting very small amounts of pollutants to the air because they usually contain no solvent and there is no volatile monomer present.

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Environmental Impact

Gold epoxy is filled into cracked concrete

Standards

  • ISO 

    • 1675, Plastics — Liquid resins — Determination of density by the pyknometer method

    • 2555, Plastics — Resins in the liquid state or as emulsions or dispersions — Determination of apparent viscosity by the Brookfield Test method

    • 3001, Plastics — Epoxy compounds — Determination of epoxy equivalent

  • ASTM Standards

    • C882/C882M Test Method for Bond Strength of Epoxy-Resin Systems Used With Concrete By Slant Shear

    • C884/C884M Test Method for Thermal Compatibility Between Concrete and an Epoxy-Resin Overlay​

    • D2566 Test Method for Linear Shrinkage of Cured Thermosetting Casting Resins During Cure

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Organizations

  • ACA (American Coating Association )

  • ATC (Adhesives Technology Corporation)

  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

  • BFG Architecture 

  • ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

Product Application

Applications are ranging from sleek automotive body panels to rugged floor or wall panels. High strength/ modulus behavior makes it a good choice for paneling of structural nature. Epoxy resins are used in the manufacture of adhesives, plastics, paints, coatings, primers and sealers, flooring and other products and materials that are used in building and construction applications.

Design

Opportunity 

Epoxy resin is most commonly used in flooring; however, the resin can be used for an expansive array of applications. The image on the right shows how furniture, light, and sculpture use epoxy resin to add a flare of design into another piece of material (wood in the image). 

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