Typical Characteristics of Epoxide Polymers

  1. Chemical and heat resistance
  2. Adhesion
  3. Low shrinkage
  4. Ease of fabrication
  5. Toughness
  6. Flexibility
  7. Abrasion resistance
  8. Superior elevated temperature performance
Epoxides are polymers in which the epoxide ring plays a part either in polymer synthesis or curing.  Most of the epoxides are based on the condensation products of bisphenol-A (diphenylol propane) and epichlorohydrin.  This reaction, known as the “Taffy” process, is used to produce lower molecular weight epoxides.  The low molecular weight epoxides are a polydisperse mix of epoxides with “n” values between 0 and 1 and have an average molecular weight of 350-600.  The higher molecular weight epoxides are synthesized by the “Fusion” or “Advancement” process using benzyl trimethyl ammonium hydroxide as a catalyst.
 
 
Classes of Epoxide Resins
low molecular weight
medium molecular weight
high molecular weight
very high molecular weight

Examples of epoxy monomers used in epoxy resins:

        for bisphenol F epoxide polymers: 
 
 
cycloaliphatic epoxide polymers:
multifunctional epoxide:

3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate

triglycidyl para-amino phenol

Bis-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) adipate

Here are some ways that epoxy polymers are utilized in coatings:

 

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