Epoxies are resins that contain the reactive CH(O)CH2 function (called an epoxide or oxirane ring), where the oxygen atom is found in a three-membered cyclic ring arrangement so that it is positioned outside the carbon backbone.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from zhaoyang.
Simple epoxies are synthesized through reaction of epichlorohydrin with the compound, bisphenol-A. The product is usually called the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) or bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). The small-ring geometry of the epoxide functional group at the end of the monomer chain structures makes it ideally suited to chemical addition reactions that lead to full-chain saturation in resin chemistry, which is better known as polymer curing. Cured polymers produce materials of outstanding durability, making them suitable for very demanding applications. Amines are the usual choice for the curing reaction with epoxies, and form the component often referred to as the hardener. Other hardener compounds may include amides or acid anhydrides.
Through the wide variety of chemical chain lengths and chemical structural components available in both the epoxide and the hardener components, epoxy synthesis can be tailored to achieve chemical structures that fulfill the performance requirements of any particular application.
Epoxy chemistry built in this way from structurally more complex analogues creates a host of major industrial applications such as coatings particularly protective and powder coatings, floor coatings, adhesives, fiber-reinforced polymers and encapsulation materials for the electrical industry. All of these applications demand exceptional durability. Epoxies occupy more than one segment of the coatings sector and may be manufactured into liquid coatings or powder coatings. Anti-corrosion applications of epoxies are found in both forms.
The epoxy segment is one of many protective coatings chemistries. The global market for epoxy coatings has been valued at US$ 32 billion by Mordor Intelligence and will grow by nearly a quarter between and . Building and construction are the main drivers for this growth, along with the shift to water-based epoxies, with Asia being the largest demand driver.
Types of Epoxy Coating
Novolac epoxies
Novolac resins are phenol-formaldehyde resins and novolac epoxies are closely similar except that that the phenoxy group is etherified with a glycidyl molecule that places the epoxy function in a side chain, thereby allowing a more extensive crosslinking. The high aromatic ring content and high crosslink density conferred by crossing an epoxy with a novolac resin furnishes chemical structures of outstanding durability that are ideal for protective applications. These are used in areas where the risk of corrosion or chemical attack is very high, including tank linings where solvents and corrosive or aggressive chemicals may be stored.
Epoxy powder coatings
Epoxy powder coatings are coatings that are applied as a dry powder and then heat cured. Some are pure epoxy powder coatings, some are epoxy hybrids and some are epoxy polyester coatings which offer superior performance characteristics. Epoxy powder coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance to metals.
Fusion-bonded epoxies
Fusion-bonded epoxies (FBEs) are epoxy coatings that are produced by high-temperature fusion (melting) of the epoxy resin with its corresponding hardener in a fluid bed. (At ambient temperatures, the reaction between the resin and hardener is unable to take place.) The resulting fused coating is a thermoset coating which after cooling, does not lose its form at higher temperatures. It bonds to metal surfaces at high temperatures, forming an excellent protective layer.
Coal tar epoxies
Coal tar epoxies incorporate coal tar to create comparatively rudimentary waterproofing coatings. The hydrophobic hydrocarbon content of coal tar forms a basic protection against water, however the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is considered a health hazard on the grounds of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and reprotoxicity and so these are banned in developed countries.
What are epoxy coatings used for?
Protection in harsh environments
Novolac epoxy coatings are used in areas where there the risk of corrosion or chemical attack is very high, including tank linings where solvents and corrosive or aggressive chemicals may be stored.
Protection in mildly corrosive environments
In heavy industry, epoxy coatings are used for the protection of steel and concrete where they are subject to mild chemical attack. This includes the dilute presence of corrosive compounds in water, the presence of organic acids which are much weaker than mineral acids or acid mists.
Protection in salt/salt-water environments
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Epoxy coated tanks. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Marine applications of epoxy coatings are largely the underwater surfaces of ships and boats where they protect against the corrosive effects of salt water. The main areas are hulls, cargo and ballast tanks and decks where the threat of corrosion is repetitive. In the sea-going environment, salt carried by the wind poses an additional corrosive threat to ships.
Protection of pipelines and pipe fittings
Fusion-bonded epoxies (FBEs) are applied mainly to steel pipes, piping connections, valves, fittings, welded areas and so on.
Marine and underwater applications
Epoxy powder coatings are used in corrosive environments and especially in propellers, boat trailers and other marine components.
Coal tar epoxies are used for sewers, marine docks, ship hulls, pipelines interiors and exteriors, marine barge exteriors, and for metal protection in most chemical and saltwater environments
Protection of concrete and use in floor coatings
Floor coatings are another major application for epoxies insofar as they protect concrete floors in industrial interiors. The resistance qualities that epoxies offer to mild chemicals (e.g. oils, greases and cleaning chemicals found in the working environment) and their superior resistance to abrasion in heavy pedestrian traffic and medium transportation traffic areas render them ideal for warehouses and logistics centers.
Other applications of epoxy coatings
Epoxy coatings are also used for the priming automobile chassis and based on different characteristics, they are used in the electronics industry for the protection of electronic components.
Epoxies for domestic applications
Domestic applications of epoxies favor their use as resinous adhesives rather than coatings. The same type of two-component chemistry is used for the formation of high-strength adhesives and superglues that have the advantages of being tough and resistant to chemicals. They form bonds of extreme durability.
One application where epoxy coatings are used domestically is for flooring in garages, basements and patios. The two components of the coating resin and hardener are mixed together to crosslink and set when used in concrete floor repairs. They have the advantages of being durable, resistance to weather, chemicals, impact while remaining easy to clean and maintain.
Epoxy coatings are durable coatings that can be used for a variety of purposes from strong adhesives to durable paint and coatings for floors and metals. Epoxy coatings are created through the generation of a chemical reaction using an epoxide resin and a polymine hardener. When these two chemicals are combined, a process called curing results. This process can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours and turns the liquid epoxy coating in to an extremely strong and durable solid.
Because of its ability to create a strong, durable, and chemically resistant substance, epoxy and epoxy coating compounds can be used for a variety of purposes. You can find epoxy coatings used throughout industrial manufacturing plants, in composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass, and in a variety of electrical, automotive, and marine applications. Epoxy materials and epoxy coating compounds can also be used as durable adhesives in a variety of applications.
One of the most popular epoxy coating uses is the use of epoxy compounds as coatings or paints. Epoxy coatings are popular because they provide a quick drying, tough, and protective coating for metals and other materials. Unlike traditional heat-cured powder coatings, epoxy coatings are quick and easy to apply making them idea for a number of applications. Some of the main epoxy coating uses include:
When used in flooring applications, an epoxy coating will result in a durable, long lasting flooring solution. Epoxy coatings are used over concrete floors in a variety of commercial and industrial applications such as in manufacturing plants, commercial and retail stores, industrial plants, warehouses, hospitals, showrooms, garages, airplane hangars, and more. Epoxy coatings and floor paints provide a decorative, high gloss finish that is available in a variety of colors and styles. Decorative options that are available when using an epoxy coating on floors include terrazzo flooring, chip flooring, and colored aggregate flooring. An epoxy floor coating offers an easy to clean and chemically resistant flooring solution, which can be applied directly over new or old concrete floors.
At Advanced Environmental Services, we use durable epoxy coating compounds to offer epoxy floor paint application services. If you are interested in learning more about how our epoxy coatings can create a durable and attractive flooring surface for your commercial or industrial facility, please feel free to contact our epoxy floor application company. Using our durable epoxy coatings, which are available in a variety of colors and styles, we can offer a solution to make your flooring more functional and attractive.
For more information, please visit Fire Protection Water Storage Tanks.