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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ON EPOXIES
Epoxies
Diagram A |
The word "Epoxy" was first used as a chemical term to specify
the molecular group shown in diagram A. This is a particular physical
arrangement of two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. This particular
group, this "Epoxy", shows up in a number of long chain organic molecules - long combinations of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen
atoms. If there is one epoxy group in the long chain, the entire long
chain molecule is said to be a "mono-epoxide". "Diepoxides"
have two epoxy groups in the long chain molecule.
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Curing Agents
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At room temperature and pressure, most mono-epoxides and diepoxides are liquid. When these epoxides are mixed with certain liquid curing agents or "hardeners", they combine chemically into a solid material. The curing agents are also organic molecules; that is, combinations of C, H and O. | |
Reaction |
In the same general way that two Hydrogen gas atoms (H) react and combine with one Oxygen atom (O) to form one molecule of water (H2O), the liquid epoxide and liquid curing agent react and combine to form a rigid thermoset solid plastic materials which will not soften or melt when later heated.
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Not all are alike
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There are lots of epoxides and lots of curing agents. Various
combinations react at different speeds and in different ways to yield hundreds of solids with
different values of hardness, flexibility, temperature stability, cure time, abrasion
resistance, toughness, thermal conductivity, etc.
In the same way that different types of wood have widely different
physical characteristics and uses (Balsa and Oak, for example) - different epoxy
mixes have various characteristics, specifications and uses. |
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Terminology |
The word "Epoxy" is used to describe either: 1. The basic Epoxy molecular group, or; 2. Mono-epoxides and diepoxides, or; 3. The Epoxies and Hardener together in the liquid or solid state. All these uses of the word "Epoxy" are acceptable in the
plastics industry. |
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Fillers |
Inert fillers (there are hundreds) can be added to the epoxide resin and/or the curing agent to enhance or change the physical characteristics of the final thermoset plastic. Thermal co-efficient of expansion, density, machinability, electrical properties, adhesive qualities, hardness, thermal conductivity, etc. are all controlled this way. | |
GAPOXIO (tm)
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Gapoxio has been designed to yield thick, hand mixable epoxy with the following unique characteristics: |
| 1) Sets in an hour to a rigid solid ... 2) Hardens in air or underwater ... 3) No odor ... 4) No shrinkage 5) Cleans up with water before hardening ... 6) Doesn't slump while setting ... 7) Smoothes to a feather edge with wet fingertips ... 8) Machinable, after setting, with woodworking or metal tools ... Can be drilled, tapped and sanded ... 9) Adheres to practically all materials ... 10) Accepts virtually all finishes ... 11) Leak tight to mass spectrometer standards ... 12) Resistant to most acids and chemicals ... 13) Can be used in cryogenic applications - even as a container for liquid nitrogen. |