Overview of Epoxy Resin Formulations

Epoxy appeared on the market several decades ago and is now actively used in construction, repair, manufacturing, and creativity. Resin is able to become a substitute for wood, metal, plastic, it even poured floors, it is made from it jewelry, products for the bathroom, include glues and paints. But in some cases, you have to think about how to replace the epoxy resin. It is quite difficult to find an analogue, because this material is unique.

Content:

• Epoxy Resin Properties
• Under what circumstances needs a resin change
• Creative Tools
• Epoxy silicate adhesive
• Cyanoacrylate adhesive
• Epoxy Hardener Replacement

Epoxy Resin Properties

Epoxy resins are part of the “family” of universal resins, which are oligomers and obtain their final properties after curing. The composition of the material is complex, it includes epichlorohydrin, phenols, binders and modifiers.

Epoxy is converted to polymer after contact with the hardener. The quality of the finished material depends on the ratio of components - it can become hard, like glass, or resembling rubber. The final properties of epoxy are as follows:

• lack of reaction to the action of weak acids, alkalis, household chemicals;
• high moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical factors, abrasives;
• low shrinkage or its complete absence;
• safety for health after curing;
• excellent adhesion to metal, concrete, most other building and household materials;
• good glue line performance.

Epoxy glue and resin are affordable home remedies. They can glue plastic, wood, glass and ceramics, brick and iron. Only silicone, polyethylene can not be held together by adhesive, and sometimes even get spoiled by epoxy. Most often, at home, the material is used for casting jewelry and translating creative ideas, for repairing car parts, pouring the bottom of boats, floors in the bathroom and garage.

Under what circumstances needs a resin change

An alternative to epoxy is hard to find, but possible. Most often you have to replace it if the material in the store is missing. Also, cases where you want to look for a replacement are as follows:

1. Some people have allergic reactions to epoxy. First, you need to replace the hardener - perhaps a pathological reaction develops on this tool. You also need to purchase a high-quality respirator, put on tight gloves in your hands, and provide good ventilation in the room. If these measures do not help, you will need to find an alternative.
2. If it is necessary to repair dishes, other products in contact with food, gluing the material will have to be done by another means. Epoxy must not come into contact with food. It is also forbidden to glue children’s toys with epoxy.
3. Epoxy is expensive. In some cases, it can be replaced with a cheaper resin, for example polyester (polyesters are sold at a minimal price, but are much inferior in properties).

Sometimes the fill form does not allow the use of this resin, it is necessary to use adhesives, building materials with a different composition.

Creative Tools

Epoxy resin allows you to make original jewelry. There are special types of resins on sale - they are distinguished by crystal transparency. But their cost, especially of imported production, is high. The needlewomen found a number of epoxy replacements, but they can not always be used. Here they are:

1. Gel Polish for nail extension. Especially good material for coating products, as well as pouring molds with a small layer thickness. The quality of the final product will be excellent. To dry, the product is kept under a UV lamp for gel polish. Finishing should be purchased, since the base remains sticky even after drying.
2. Sodium silicate. This is "water glass", which is ideal for allergy sufferers. The product dries in 3 hours, sometimes it sticks after drying. But with the correct application and full waiting for the polymerization time, the result will please. A beautiful gloss will appear on the surface of the product.

The benefits of gel polish are high in terms of speed. Epoxy need 1-2 days to dry, and gel polish dries in a few minutes. But the strength of the material is inferior to the resin, with mechanical action, scratches, chips, pits are formed on it. But removing the bubbles from the gel polish is much easier, and the correction of the finished jewelry will take a minimum of time.

As for the "liquid glass", that is, its own specifics of applying the product. The product is covered with a thin layer, after a day they are rubbed with alcohol against stickiness. Then you can apply another layer, thicker. Sodium silicate is best set with ordinary glass.

Epoxy silicate adhesive

How can parts be securely bonded if epoxy adhesive is not available? In household repair of shoes, appliances, electronics, furniture, it is most often used epoxy. But as a replacement you can get silicate glue - it is great for fabric, wood, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal. Like epoxy, materials are impregnated with such glue to ensure fire resistance.

To strengthen the strength of the product and bring its performance closer to epoxy, you can independently prepare different types of glue:

1. Mix 100 ml of silicate glue, 32 g of powdered glass, 50 g of asbestos. This composition has high thermal and chemical resistance.
2. Take a small amount of glue, add quartz sand, asbestos to a thick consistency in it. This material will be resistant to alkalis and acids.
3. 16 g of glue are combined with 40 g of milk casein, the composition has a high moisture resistance.

If you plan to use epoxy for sealing the bathroom, sinks in the kitchen, you can buy ordinary silicone sealant. It is inexpensive, and its properties are no worse than epoxy.

Cyanoacrylate adhesive

Such a tool will perfectly replace epoxy glue, since it has similar qualities. Cyanoacrylate adhesives are produced by many manufacturing companies - Moment, Titan and others, including those that sell superglue. A distinctive feature is the transparency of the adhesive joint after drying, as well as the highest strength. The tool holds various types of materials no worse than nails and screws, and many brands are characterized by heat and water resistance.

The disadvantages of cyanoacrylate adhesive include weak strength when scratching, falling, and other types of mechanical stress. Epoxy does not deteriorate during long-term storage, and this glue quickly fails, loses its properties. Cyanoacrylate adhesive is highly allergic. It is not suitable for fastening fluoroplastic, polyethylene, but it is ideal for bonding metal and plastic.

Epoxy Hardener Replacement

Hardener in most cases is sold together with resin, because epoxy is a two-component agent. Sometimes a liquid ingredient is consumed faster or dries, evaporates. It is best to buy it at the store. For curing purposes:

• aliphatic polyamines - TETA, DETA, PEPA;
• polyacids and their anhydrides;
• aromatic amines.

The most durable aliphatic polyamines are in use, their average consumption is 10%. With a small amount of hardener available, 1% ethyl alcohol can be added. It is strictly forbidden to replace the hardener with sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric acid - you will get black foam, the material will immediately deteriorate.

Some users replace the hardener with other means - benzoyl peroxide, ammonia, orthophosphoric acid. You can also crush dry fuel into a powder and introduce it into the resin, but the norms will have to be selected experimentally. Usually 10% of dry fuel is enough. After adding such a “hardener”, the resin solidifies in about a day. Also, an hardener for Izur car enamels can act as an alternative. But for a reliable result, it is better to buy high-quality products - Etal 45M, Telalit 410, so that finished products do not cause complaints.