Epoxy resin is a relatively new polymer which is becoming increasingly popular for various applications in today's construction industry. It's a great product for use in a variety of industries because of its many positive characteristics. Epoxy resins have excellent adhesive properties, they have excellent water resistance properties, shrinkage is very low, the curing speed is very fast, bonding is very simple and holds up well even under high heat and weathering conditions, bonding different types of plastics to the material is easy, holds up well against impact and is nearly impossible to melt. Plus, epoxy resins are environmentally friendly and can be recycled easily. It is also ideal for bonding acrylic, pvc, polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, zinc and fiberglass.

The resin coatings have a wide range of applications, most common of them being applied to garage flooring, industrial flooring, boat decks, sidewalks, driveway repairs and so on. The advantages to using epoxy resin for any of these applications are that it is very flexible and elastic; it bonds extremely well to any surface, including plastics, nylon, wood, fiberglass, and concrete, it has excellent heat and weather resistance properties, maintains its elasticity even after many applications, has excellent solvent and chemical resistance (except when binding acrylic and epoxy blends), holds up well against extreme temperatures, and will not expand or contract during use. There are some disadvantages however to epoxy resin coatings. Below is a description of the main advantages and disadvantages of the product.

Advantages and Disadvantages One of the main advantages of epoxy coatings are the high level of flexibility. It can be cured at very high temperatures with very little shrinking, or cooling time. This characteristic is the main reason that these products are so well suited for a variety of different applications. The high degree of flexibility and bonding ability allows them to be used in intricate detailed designs where a finer level of detailing is important such as when creating bumpers, shelves, handrails, panel dividers, and the like. Because the epoxy resin bond is so tightly held to the specific molecular structure of the materials being applied, there is a nearly unlimited degree of detail control possible, which greatly increases the precision of the end result.

Epoxy Resin Properties The high degree of chemical and solvent resistance makes epoxy resins very good at resisting chemical reactions and stains. Because they are highly soluble in water, they can be cleaned up by simple rinsing with water, which further eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and cleansers. These also have the added advantage of providing an extremely effective sealing and protection from air bubbles.

Other Advantages And Disadvantages Besides the extreme flexibility and durability of epoxies, they are also very resistant to ultraviolet light damage, chemical degradation, ozone, water, and fire. They can be painted with any suitable medium to provide full protection to painted surfaces while providing a clear, colored, or patterned final coat. Some epoxy resins have added hardness and durability benefits through an increase in toughness and flexural strength.

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages associated with the application of epoxy resin. This makes it one of the most versatile and cost effective surface materials for a number of projects. One of the main disadvantages is that it is not recommended for use on soft or delicate items because it can easily scratch. This is compounded by the high degree of chemical and solvent resistance. Some disadvantages of this product include high cost relative to other bonding resins, difficult to clean, and poor resistance to ultraviolet light damage.