How to dilute epoxy correctly at home: choice of solvent and methods of exposure

Epoxy resin is a universal substance that is actively used both in various industries and in everyday life. It provides particularly strong bonding, while remaining ductile. To get a good result, it is worth considering all the features of such a procedure, namely, knowing how to dilute the epoxy resin with a hardener: the proportions of the ratio will determine the final indicators.

Where is epoxy adhesive used

The preparation of epoxy makes it possible to obtain a substance that is unique in properties and has a wide range of uses. This material, depending on the characteristics of the preparation, can be either hard and hard, or soft, ductile. Resin is used for a wide variety of needs:

1. Building. Epoxy is characterized by excellent waterproofing performance, which suggests its use in the installation of various structures for added protection.
2. Electrotechnical, aviation and machine-building area. The substance is used as a heavy-duty adhesive solution that guarantees high adhesion.
3. Furniture manufacturing. Epoxy is used as a decorative element.
4. Creativity and design. Knowing the correct proportions of epoxy resin and hardener, home craftsmen get a thick transparent solution with which they create things that are unique in beauty. For example, souvenirs, jewelry, various items of decor and everyday life.

The polymer composition is highly resistant to various chemical compounds, so it is actively used in the manufacture of glass fibers and fiberglass.

If the epoxy is properly diluted, then after the polymerization (solidification) process, a strong alloy is obtained. It is very simple in further (finishing) processing and is easy to grind and polish. Moreover, the frozen polymer mass does not pose any health hazard.

How to prepare an adhesive base

Epoxy resin shows all of its declared qualities only when a hardener is added to it. The catalyst starts the polymerization process, as a result of which the epoxy solidifies. Moreover, the final result directly depends on what ratio of hardener and epoxy was used during the work.

How to breed epoxy

To add to the epoxy resin, a special additive is used - a hardener. Usually this composition comes with a resinous substance. But sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to dilute too thick a mass of hardener + epoxy. You need to know how to act in this case.

Tip. To dilute the finished composition of the epoxy resin, it is better to use specialized solvents created to soften the resinous solution.

Proportion of dilution with hardener

To get a quality composition for future work, you should know how to dilute epoxy glue, the proportions of which and the amount of hardener to be added will depend on some factors. For example, from the characteristics of the production of components - each manufacturer himself sets the exact ratio of resin (glue) and hardener-catalyst.

To obtain quality material, it is necessary to observe mixing proportions

In the classic version of the dilution of epoxy to 10 parts of resin, 1 part of the catalyst is taken.

Mixing of the components should take place at a constant temperature of + 22–25 ° C, not higher. Experts also advise conducting preliminary control kneading in order to independently establish the required proportions. Keep in mind that the resin, when a hardener is added to it, begins to release heat rapidly, therefore it adds the catalyst extremely carefully, in small portions.

In some cases, the addition of a special plasticizer is also required. This substance minimizes the brittleness and brittleness of the hardened composition. The plasticizer is added to the remaining components in a volume of not more than 5-10% of the amount of resin.

How to use epoxy glue

Surfaces intended for durable bonding are pre-cleaned and degreased. Moreover, it is mandatory to process glossy and smooth materials. To improve future adhesion, such surfaces are treated with fine sandpaper to create the desired roughness. After completion of the preliminary preparation, a thin layer of epoxy is applied to the working areas (its height should be 1–1.5 mm).

Adhesive coated surfaces are pressed against each other in a sliding motion to ensure complete absence of air.

Glue excesses that have appeared must be immediately removed with a dry cloth. The glued surfaces must be fixed (for strength, you can wrap with a rope or press with clamps). After a day, additional devices are removed, and the product is left until the glue polymerizes completely. If you wish, you can put the product in the oven and hold it there for 1-2 hours at a temperature not exceeding + 80 ° C.

Observe precautions when handling resin.

Work safety measures

Epoxy resin becomes completely harmless to humans only after the end of the polymerization stage. Being in a liquid state, the substance stage emits harmful fumes. Therefore, working with such a composition requires certain safety rules. Namely:

• the room where the epoxy is being worked, ventilate well,
• do not allow animals and children to be present when working with resin,
• when mixing the composition and gluing, use personal protective equipment: a respirator mask, glasses and gloves,
• after finishing work, ventilate the room well, and rinse protection items with running water,
• Cover the work surface with plastic wrap (polyethylene is one of the few materials that cannot be glued using epoxy).

Beware of resinous substance on skin. In such a situation, immediately remove the resin residues with acetone, and then wash the contact area with soapy water.

Conclusions

Epoxy must be in every home workshop. This substance is used not only as an adhesive with especially strong bonding. Epoxy can also be used to create original souvenir products. The only thing you should know is the rules and proportions of mixing materials and the subtleties of subsequent work. And do not forget about personal safety techniques.

How to mix components

It is recommended to dilute epoxy resin with hardener only after adding plasticizer. DEG-1 or DBP are mainly used. Its ratio to the total mass of epoxy should be from five to ten percent. For mixing, it is best to use a construction mixer with a special nozzle.

Hardener is added after kneading. It is poured gradually in a thin stream. To obtain a dense composition, one part of the resin takes five parts of the hardener, and not ten. Transparency is achieved only when the introduction of an acidic or amine compound is accompanied by stirring.

Do not rush into the hardener. The whole process should last from five to ten minutes. Otherwise, the mixture will boil instantly.

Safety precautions

In the uncured form, both resin and hardener are harmful substances

• work with epoxy gloves
• open the window and take the children to another room,
• if tar or resin + detergent gets on the skin, wipe with acetone and then wash off with soap, alcohol and other solvents are not suitable - the epoxy is not afraid of even a number of aggressive acids,
• avoid contact with eyes, if anything - immediately see a doctor,
• epoxy glued items should not be in any way in contact with food.

When frozen, the epoxy is harmless.

Before work, it is appropriate to cover the table with a newspaper and arm yourself with dry rags, napkins, acetone. If the epoxy drops on furniture and other surfaces, and you do not have time to wipe it, then peeling off this droplet will be unrealistic.

Attention! The hardening reaction proceeds with the release of heat, therefore it is dangerous to cook large volumes of epoxy glue at home - the mass may boil. With small dosages this will not happen

Epoxy Curing Time

Determines the period during which the resin retains viscosity and ductility, that is, it is suitable for pouring or gluing various surfaces. If the composition is diluted according to the classic recipe (1:10), the shelf life of the epoxy is from half an hour to an hour. When the amount of hardener is reduced, the viscosity is maintained for two or three hours.

Ambient temperature also has a direct effect on maintaining the viscosity of the resin. If it is negative, solidification occurs almost instantly. This is due to the requirement to comply with the temperature regime during mixing of the components. It is recommended to breed resin in a warm, but at the same time well-ventilated or aired room.

Recommendations for use

In order for epoxy glue to hold together surfaces well, you need to use it correctly, namely:

Although epoxy is a universal tool and suitable for different materials, it is not suitable for polyethylene, nylon, polystyrene, plexiglass and smooth non-porous materials,
repaired surfaces must be free of dust and dirt, degreased and dried,
the preparation of glue must occur strictly according to the instructions in compliance with the proportions of the ingredients, do not prepare the composition in large quantities,
the adhesive is applied to all surfaces that will stick together; after applying the adhesive, it is very important to strongly press the surfaces against each other,
after gluing, the product can be used no earlier than a day, when the polymerization of the composition is completed.

Types and scope of glue EAF

A tool such as EAF glue is conditionally distributed into several characteristic subspecies. So, first of all, according to the form of release, one-component and two-component compositions are distinguished. The first is different in that it eliminates the addition of additional additives to accelerate the polymerization before use.

Two-component formulations, despite their higher complexity in application, are a more popular option. Before gluing the coatings, you need to mix the two components of the product. Due to this, you can count on a sufficiently flexible and flexible adhesive seam.

Also, such adhesives differ from each other in their density. So, according to this principle, two categories are distinguished:

1. Liquid. Not the most convenient material to use, differing in fairly budget cost.
2. Clay. In its structure, this glue resembles ordinary plasticine. Manufacturers present it in the format of sticks of various sizes. Before starting work with such glue, the mixture must be very well kneaded and distributed over the treated coating.

Depending on the basic principle of polymerization, glue can also be divided into several large categories. For example, if the composition is based on solvents, then they directly affect the principles of using the composition itself. In other words, if anhydride or polyamine is present among the components, the mixture can begin to polymerize even at room temperature.

A wide variety of types of glue has significantly increased its scope. So, the main areas of use are as follows:

• repair of various interior items, plumbing supplies, sports equipment,
• restoration of the housing of small and large household appliances,
• production of fiberglass coatings, bulk floors,
• manufacture and repair of car bodies.

How the proportions are right

The most important and crucial moment in the whole gluing process is how to properly spread the glue. Step by step, the beginning master must do the following:

carefully read the instructions on the packaging and unquestioningly follow all the recommendations for observing the proportions, rules for diluting dry mix and water for different types of work and types of paintings,
then pour warm water into any convenient bucket, carefully pour dry mixture or granules into it

Important to remember! Only in this sequence you need to dilute the dry composition - granules and powder in water, in no case not vice versa,
mix the glue intensively with a long stick or spatula until all lumps disappear and the mixture becomes homogeneous. If the finished mixture is too thick it can be easily fixed

Just add a little warm water to it and dilute to the normal state, which you need according to the instructions. But do not overdo it, liquid glue cannot be made thick by its consistency. The liquid mixture can be used for priming the walls of the room. Ready glue should be left to swell for the time indicated on the package. It should be noted that for each particular composition this time is strictly individually

If the finished mixture is too thick, this can be easily fixed. Just add a little warm water to it and dilute to the normal state, which you need according to the instructions. But do not overdo it, liquid glue cannot be made thick by its consistency. The liquid mixture can be used for priming the walls of the room. Ready glue should be left to swell for the time indicated on the package. It should be noted that for each particular composition this time is strictly individual.

Forward to the beautiful walls

Now, having decided to stick new non-woven or vinyl wallpapers in the apartment, you can safely and confidently begin this creative and fascinating process. Armed with the useful knowledge and recommendations that you emphasized in this article, you can easily go to a hardware store or supermarket. Just remember that before the final gluing and decorative finishing it is necessary to carefully prepare the walls.

I would like to believe that you will not be able to spoil the beauty and aesthetics of the newly plastered walls with ugly glued canvases. Also, expensive wallpaper with lagging edges and peeling joints will not cut your eyes, and you will be madly angry at the low quality of gluing.

Before mixing paint and oxidizing agent, you need to choose them correctly

To begin with, the oxidizing agent is simply necessary when dyeing hair. Let's just say this is the necessary catalyst that activates the pigment and helps it penetrate the hair structure. But here they are divided into several types.

The oxidizing agent itself has many names. For example, it is also called oxygen, oxide, developer or activator. However, they all rightly say about his work

After all, note that the paint begins to change color only when it reacts with the oxidizing agent.
The main and active substance is peroxide. By the way, even during the Soviet fashion, hair was lightened just from a pharmacy analogue

But don’t be afraid, you will get bright blondes only with a large dose of hydrogen.
His main task is to remove or slightly discolor the natural pigment from the hair, so that the paint can penetrate the structure itself and color them. That is, like honeycombs, a chemical pigment penetrates an almost empty hair, filling the cells.

The higher the percentage, the stronger the impact.

• So, we consider possible options for oxygen and their characteristics:
  • start with a small position of 1.2-1.9%. It is he who is often called simply an activator. Most often, there is only some kind of dimming with pigment or coloring tone on tone. More suitable for blonde women, but with gray hair should be excluded. Also note that the absence of ammonia in the paint will generally create an invisible picture after staining,
  • then immediately jumps from 2.7 to 3%, which sometimes goes to 10 vol. For natural hair of light shades, a slight change of 1 tone is possible. And then, only in ammonia analogues. For dyed and, especially, gray hair, in any case, this will pass almost imperceptibly,
  • after which there is a 6 percent developer or 20 vol on certain brands, which will help change the hair color by 2 tones. Although rarely used. Mainly for bright or red tones. For gray hair, it is still very weak, therefore it is allowed only in the initial stages,
  • and now 9% or 30 vol will already help lighten hair to 3 shades, which greatly expands the choice of paint. Suitable for coarse, thick and dark hair, as well as for ladies with gray hair,
  • aggressive effect of 12% or 40 vol of oxygen is contraindicated for light and thin curls. Yes, and dark-haired beauties with a thicker hair structure need to be careful with such a substance. After all, he will highlight 4-7 tones (depending on the zone and time of contact) and helps to become a blonde, even the most burning brunette.

General information on the correct selection of oxidizing agent

• Also, do not forget to take into account the palette for the desired color of curls:
  • the score starts with 1, which means a black tone with a bluish tint,
  • 2.0 is already talking about just black,
  • 3.0 is a brown tone,
  • but 4 is a figure that indicates the color of the brown-haired
  • 5.0 is a light cinnamon shade,
  • 6.0 is slightly lighter and matches the light brown color,
  • his average tone is at number 7,
  • but 8.0 means blonde blond,
  • 9.0 is already a very fair blond,
  • 10.0 will make you a super-blonde.

Primary color palette

Two-component fast cure epoxy adhesive

A separate subspecies of EAF glue is the composition of rapid curing. This sample is suitable for those cases when it is necessary to ensure fast and maximum quality bonding of surfaces.

How the proportions are right

The most important and crucial moment in the whole gluing process is how to properly spread the glue. Step by step, the beginning master must do the following:

carefully read the instructions on the packaging and unquestioningly follow all the recommendations for observing the proportions, rules for diluting dry mix and water for different types of work and types of paintings,
then pour warm water into any convenient bucket, carefully pour dry mixture or granules into it

Important to remember! Only in this sequence you need to dilute the dry composition - granules and powder in water, in no case not vice versa,
mix the glue intensively with a long stick or spatula until all lumps disappear and the mixture becomes homogeneous. If the finished mixture is too thick it can be easily fixed

Just add a little warm water to it and dilute to the normal state, which you need according to the instructions. But do not overdo it, liquid glue cannot be made thick by its consistency. The liquid mixture can be used for priming the walls of the room. Ready glue should be left to swell for the time indicated on the package. It should be noted that for each particular composition this time is strictly individually

If the finished mixture is too thick, this can be easily fixed. Just add a little warm water to it and dilute to the normal state, which you need according to the instructions. But do not overdo it, liquid glue cannot be made thick by its consistency. The liquid mixture can be used for priming the walls of the room. Ready glue should be left to swell for the time indicated on the package. It should be noted that for each particular composition this time is strictly individual.

Forward to the beautiful walls

Now, having decided to stick new non-woven or vinyl wallpapers in the apartment, you can safely and confidently begin this creative and fascinating process. Armed with the useful knowledge and recommendations that you emphasized in this article, you can easily go to a hardware store or supermarket. Just remember that before the final gluing and decorative finishing it is necessary to carefully prepare the walls.

I would like to believe that you will not be able to spoil the beauty and aesthetics of the newly plastered walls with ugly glued canvases. Also, expensive wallpaper with lagging edges and peeling joints will not cut your eyes, and you will be madly angry at the low quality of gluing.

Before mixing paint and oxidizing agent, you need to choose them correctly

To begin with, the oxidizing agent is simply necessary when dyeing hair. Let's just say this is the necessary catalyst that activates the pigment and helps it penetrate the hair structure. But here they are divided into several types.

The oxidizing agent itself has many names. For example, it is also called oxygen, oxide, developer or activator. However, they all rightly say about his work

After all, note that the paint begins to change color only when it reacts with the oxidizing agent.
The main and active substance is peroxide. By the way, even during the Soviet fashion, hair was lightened just from a pharmacy analogue

But don’t be afraid, you will get bright blondes only with a large dose of hydrogen.
His main task is to remove or slightly discolor the natural pigment from the hair, so that the paint can penetrate the structure itself and color them. That is, like honeycombs, a chemical pigment penetrates an almost empty hair, filling the cells.

The higher the percentage, the stronger the impact.

• So, we consider possible options for oxygen and their characteristics:
  • start with a small position of 1.2-1.9%. It is he who is often referred to simply as an activator. Most often, there is only some kind of dimming with pigment or coloring tone on tone. More suitable for blonde women, but with gray hair should be excluded. Also note that the absence of ammonia in the paint will generally create an invisible picture after staining,
  • then immediately jumps from 2.7 to 3%, which sometimes goes to 10 vol. For natural hair of light shades, a slight change of 1 tone is possible. And then, only in ammonia analogues. For dyed and, especially, gray hair, in any case, this will pass almost imperceptibly,
  • after which there is a 6 percent developer or 20 vol on certain brands, which will help change the hair color by 2 tones. Although rarely used. Mainly for bright or red tones. For gray hair, it is still very weak, therefore it is allowed only in the initial stages,
  • and now 9% or 30 vol will already help lighten hair to 3 shades, which greatly expands the choice of paint. Suitable for coarse, thick and dark hair, as well as for ladies with gray hair,
  • aggressive effect of 12% or 40 vol of oxygen is contraindicated for light and thin curls. Yes, and dark-haired beauties with a thicker hair structure need to be careful with such a substance. After all, he will highlight 4-7 tones (depending on the zone and time of contact) and helps to become a blonde, even the most burning brunette.

General information on the correct selection of oxidizing agent

• Also, do not forget to take into account the palette for the desired color of curls:
  • the score starts with 1, which means a black tone with a bluish tint,
  • 2.0 is already talking about just black,
  • 3.0 is a brown tone,
  • but 4 is a figure that indicates the color of the brown-haired
  • 5.0 is a light cinnamon shade,
  • 6.0 is slightly lighter and matches the light brown color,
  • his average tone is at number 7,
  • but 8.0 means blonde blond,
  • 9.0 is already a very fair blond,
  • 10.0 will make you a super-blonde.

Primary color palette

Types and scope of glue EAF

A tool such as EAF glue is conditionally distributed into several characteristic subspecies. So, first of all, according to the form of release, one-component and two-component compositions are distinguished. The first is different in that it eliminates the addition of additional additives to accelerate the polymerization before use.

Two-component formulations, despite their higher complexity in application, are a more popular option. Before gluing the coatings, you need to mix the two components of the product. Due to this, you can count on a sufficiently flexible and flexible adhesive seam.

Also, such adhesives differ from each other in their density. So, according to this principle, two categories are distinguished:

1. Liquid. Not the most convenient material to use, differing in fairly budget cost.
2. Clay. In its structure, this glue resembles ordinary plasticine. Manufacturers present it in the format of sticks of various sizes. Before starting work with such glue, the mixture must be very well kneaded and distributed over the treated coating.

Depending on the basic principle of polymerization, glue can also be divided into several large categories. For example, if the composition is based on solvents, then they directly affect the principles of using the composition itself. In other words, if anhydride or polyamine is present among the components, the mixture can begin to polymerize even at room temperature.

A wide variety of types of glue has significantly increased its scope. So, the main areas of use are as follows:

• repair of various interior items, plumbing supplies, sports equipment,
• restoration of the housing of small and large household appliances,
• production of fiberglass coatings, bulk floors,
• manufacture and repair of car bodies.

Two-component fast cure epoxy adhesive

A separate subspecies of EAF glue is the composition of rapid curing. This sample is suitable for those cases when it is necessary to ensure fast and maximum quality bonding of surfaces.

How to glue with epoxy?

Now step by step. We already have a lid with ready-made glue.

We prepare flowers and accessories.

We prepare accessories and flowers. The surfaces to be glued are degreased with alcohol or acetone. Cold porcelain reacts normally to both substances.

Wipe the gluing places with acetone or alcohol.

In order to fix the flowers on the fittings, we use the “Moment” super-glue. Glue them, forming a composition. Super glue is needed as a preliminary fixer.

Pre-fix the flowers with glue "Moment".

It is important to leave more gaps between the fittings and flowers / leaves where the epoxy could penetrate - it should capture as many surfaces as possible. Therefore, when carrying out preliminary gluing with the “Moment”, do not press hard

It’s enough to simply “earn” flowers, leaving room for a magical compound that will fix this beauty tightly.

We leave gaps into which the epoxy should penetrate.

When the product is assembled, and the epoxy glue has reached the stage at which it is convenient to cling to it with a match / toothpick, we proceed to pouring.

We pick up a drop of epoxy and use a toothpick to transfer it to all the gaps left between the flowers and the fittings. So drop by drop fill all the cracks. If the glue has already started to leak, wipe it with a dry (and only dry!) ​​Napkin. We try not to drip epoxy on the flowers themselves. If you get dirty - again, a napkin to help, then you can wipe Johnsons oil or vegetable oil so that there is no trace.

Pour epoxy glue a little bit into all the cracks.

After all the cracks are filled, we leave the product to dry in a fixed position, making sure that the glue does not leak out (after half an hour or an hour, it will stop doing this, but at first it may “float”).

After 12 hours, we see that the glue hardened.

The properties

A valuable property of this synthetic resin is the absence of reaction with acids, alkalis, and also with halogens. An epoxy product or coating with its use after hardening does not evaporate any volatile toxic compounds. Strong shrinkage is not observed. So that the quality of the finished polymer product does not suffer, the proportions should be clearly observed: apply the hardener exactly in the amount required. In the event of an excess of added hardener, it will protrude from above, that is, appear on the outer surface of the polymer. Conversely, if there is a clear lack of it, the polymer surface will become sticky. This will be due to the presence of residual unbound epoxy, that is, the resin itself. The compounds are not the same and require a different ratio of hardener to the resin itself. For modern compounds, most often it is 1: 1 or 1: 2. The correct dosage can be established by such indicators as the uniformity of the mixture, transparency and the absence of turbidity.

Application of EAF glue: briefing

A composition such as EAF glue is characterized by sufficiently quick hardening. For this reason, experts are strongly advised to prepare the adhesive in small batches. This will save glue material.

Before proceeding with the immediate implementation of the task, it is necessary to prepare the surface for further bonding. To achieve the highest quality adhesion, it is recommended to use fabric: its impregnation extremely positively affects the adhesion of materials. This very fabric can be gauze or fiberglass

In any case, it is important that the fabric is as thin as possible.

Surface treatment

Before use, two-component epoxy adhesive EDF requires thorough processing of glued surfaces. Therefore, before starting work, it is recommended to wash, clean and degrease the coatings with alcohol or its solution.

For better cleaning, use fine-grained sandpaper. The treated coating must be dry, clean and free of dust. Subject to the use of fabric for impregnation, it should also be dried.

Epoxy breeding

Since the two-component EAF glue should be mixed before use, it is important to understand the principles of proper dilution of the product. So, prepare the mixture right before use, so that the material does not have time to grab excessively quickly

How to dilute epoxy glue? First of all, you need to observe the proportion:

• 10 parts of resin from the first package to one part of the hardener from the second container,
• place the bottle with resin in a container filled with clean water (t ≈ 50-70 degrees Celsius),
• hold the resin there for ten minutes.

Components are recommended to be taken in fairly small proportions. Of course, everything can change based on the individual characteristics of the adhesive composition from a particular manufacturer. But in general, for one division of the hardener (calculated by a standard measuring cup), you need to use as many as ten of the same epoxy dividers.

The resin and hardener must be mixed thoroughly enough to ensure a high-quality combination of the components into one single mixture. It is recommended to stir the composition for at least three or five minutes. After this, you will have to give the composition a rest for about ten minutes, so that all unnecessary air bubbles can escape from it.

It is important that the product is used in the next two hours after mixing.If you wait and leave the glue for longer, then its structure will become like a jelly

Accordingly, the quality of such an adhesive will be far from ideal, and the strength of the adhesive joint will be extremely low.

Bonding process

After the EAF glue is prepared, the surface is degreased and cleaned, you can safely proceed to the processing of glued coatings. For this:

1. We apply glue only on one surface or on one coating.
2. We press objects to each other and carefully fix.
3. We keep them in this state for the next ten minutes.
4. We leave coatings for solidification. Most often, the process takes about one day.

Provide ventilation for the gluing process. After completing work, be sure to ventilate the room for at least half an hour.

The manufacturer is convinced that after dilution and polymerization, the two-component epoxy adhesive becomes completely harmless. However, we recommend that you take care of yourself by protecting your hands, eyes and skin with the help of special gloves, glasses and work clothes.

Final stage

The period of complete cure in most cases will be approximately one day. Nevertheless, it is impossible to predict the exact time: in general, it depends on the totality of all factors.

In other words, the period of complete polymerization is determined by the thickness of the applied seam and the composition of the materials that are processed

You must also take into account the individual characteristics of each type of glue, which are presented in the manufacturer's manual

Epoxy adhesive: application

The combination of ease of use and universal properties of epoxy has been widely used in industry and many sectors of the economy.

• Building. The tool allows you to connect three-layer panels, reinforced concrete structures of bridges, connect concrete with metal, stick tiles, fill cracks in concrete.
• Shipbuilding. Using epoxy, high-load assemblies are mounted in the mount, metal and fiberglass vessels are assembled, a water barrier is created to maintain humidity levels, and the hull of boats and yachts with fiberglass reinforcement is treated.
• Aircraft Engineering. It is used in the manufacture of batteries, the creation of glue-welded joints during the assembly of an aircraft, the fixation of both external and internal thermal protection.
• Engineering. The material allows you to make tooling and abrasive tools, attach plastic parts and brake pads to metal surfaces, carry out repair work on the car body, gas tank, skins, gearboxes and brake boxes, glue small and medium parts.

Epoxy adhesive: composition and properties

Adhesive epoxy adhesive EDP is a synthetic thermosetting product. The tool is a combination of the main element of epoxy resin and additional substances, such as solvents, hardeners, plasticizers and fillers.

Solvents for epoxy glue:

To obtain the highest quality bonding material, it is necessary to take the solvent no more than 3-5% in relation to the volume of dry resin. Since the solution is difficult to remove from the adhesive, do not exceed the amount of solvent.

It is important to consider that alcohols accelerate the curing of epoxy adhesives.

Epoxy fillers:

• powder components: alumina, carbon black, vanadium, beryllium and zinc oxide, aluminum or nickel powder,
• carbon and glass fibers,
• fabrics made of synthetic or glass fibers.

The role of plasticizers are esters of phthalic and phosphoric acid. Experts recommend using oligomeric and polymer plasticizers, using oligoamides and oligosulfides, since their use affects the physicomechanical qualities of the epoxy material, allowing them to be regulated and improve the bonding quality.

With a successful combination of the necessary components, an adhesive mass should be obtained that will have such qualities:

1. frost resistance - the adhesive withstands temperatures up to -20 ° C,
2. heat resistance - usually up to +250 ° С depending on the filler,
3. ductility - the already hardened composition is elastic, therefore, with a slight displacement of the parts, the seam does not break,
4. glue tolerates atmospheric, gasoline and oil effects,
5. Resistant to cracks and shrinkage
6. under the influence of detergents and household chemicals, the adhesive does not decompose,
7. water-repellent effect - the structure of the adhesive provides high-quality waterproofing to the details,
8. good interaction with various surface structures.

the glue is not suitable for working with polyethylene, teflon and silicone,
in work you need to be extremely careful, since the composition hardens very quickly and it will be incredibly difficult and costly to fix them
it is important to observe safety measures when working with the material, since if it gets into the eyes or on the skin, washing the glue will be very problematic.

Epoxy Adhesive: Precautions

In the process of working with any building materials, one should not only adhere to the instructions for use, but also observe safety precautions. With adhesive solutions, this rule cannot be ignored, since hardening in a matter of seconds on the skin, the tool can deliver a lot of inconvenience and pain

A mask equipped with a carbon filter will protect you from harmful fumes and dust, while it is advisable to perform work in a well-ventilated room.

Before mixing the resin and hardener, rubber gloves should be worn on the hands.
Cookware intended for storage or cooking should not be used as a container for kneading epoxide.
If glue gets on your skin, immediately wash the area with soapy water, so it is important to have a container with prepared liquid on hand.
If the glue or resin is squeezed out of the tube with difficulty, you need to warm it up a bit in hot water or on the battery. In no case should you use a water bath, an open flame, an oven or a microwave for this .. If you know how to glue with epoxy glue, repairs will bring only pleasant results and leave pleasant memories, you only need to arm yourself with the instructions for use and the necessary skills

If you know how to glue with epoxy glue, the repair will bring only pleasant results and leave pleasant memories, you only need to arm yourself with the instructions for use and the necessary skills.

In its chemical structure, epoxy resin is a synthetically oligomeric compound. Epoxy materials have found their application in various industries. As a rule, free epoxy is not used. It can manifest its properties after the polymerization reaction in combination with a hardener.

If you combine different types of epoxy resins and hardening agents, you can get different materials: hard and hard (in hardness exceeding the hardness of steel), or soft. Epoxy resins are resistant to chemicals and alkalis, halogens, soluble in acetone and esters without the formation of a film. Epoxy compounds after curing do not emit volatile substances and may differ slightly in shrinkage.

What is epoxy adhesive

Epoxy is a popular type of construction adhesive. With the development of the construction industry, technologies in the field of bonding materials of various origins are changing. Despite the appearance in stores of other types of adhesive product, the demand for epoxy is high.

The composition is sold in containers of different sizes, for example, produce epoxy glue for tiles and mosaics in buckets, as well as in small packages for household needs with a dispenser for spot application. To obtain a compound that is durable and resistant to various external influences, an epoxy composition is suitable.

Binary action substance

The main component of epoxy glue (let's call it composition A) can be stored for years without losing its properties. Unless it crystallizes a little, but this trouble is easy to fix by heating the epoxy compound to 55-60 ° C degrees, and then slowly cooling. Clumps in the form of crystals will necessarily disperse in the total mass of the substance.

The situation is slightly worse with the hardener, the expiration date of which usually expires by one and a half years from the date of its release by the manufacturer. But, knowing its composition. and information about it should be on the back of the package or in the instruction leaflet, you can always buy fresh separately, this will not cause a significant blow to your finances.

However, if a package with two bubbles was stored somewhere in your cellar, at a constant temperature of no higher than 8 ° C and in complete darkness, then the shelf life of epoxy glue, provided that the bottles are also tight, can be safely doubled or tripled. In extreme cases, check the performance of components A and B by mixing a small amount.

When buying an epoxy for bonding or for future use castings, according to the “let it be” principle, take care immediately of such items as:

• Disposable plastic cups.
• Disposable syringes with a volume of 5 to 40 ml. Buy syringes in pairs, for epoxy compound and for hardener. The syringes, however, will serve you for a long time, they will not be disposable, you just need to label them, and do not use the syringe of composition A for composition B, and vice versa.
• Also have polyethylene napkins for laying in the workplace in stock - epoxy does not impregnate polyethylene and the desktop does not stain.
• Handle for kneading convenient length.
• An empty tube from under the ballpoint pen paste, in order to blow on the bubbles formed by chance during kneading, they quickly leave the layer of the knitted epoxy with such manipulation. True, this action is relevant for volumetric or areal fillings - the presence of bubbles in the glue does not matter.

Let these items lie next to the epoxy glue, waiting in the wings. It’s also on the principle of “let it be,” but then you won’t rush about when there is a need to work with glue.

The epoxy compound itself and the hardener for it, no matter what type it belongs to, are liquid polymers with a small molecular weight. Their epoxy products, like hardened glue, are polymers with a huge molecular weight.

It occurs in the polymerization process, the start of which is the mixing of part A with part B, which were previously in different bottles. When mixing the parts, a reaction begins with the multiple growth of polymer chains of a compound to be joined. Moreover, the chains grow not only in length, they also branch widely. The result of such a reaction is a huge polymer molecule with completely changed properties compared to the starting material.

The curing reaction is exothermic, that is, it proceeds with the active generation of heat, and the faster the higher the ambient temperature.

Air or water influences the surrounding epoxy if the glass with mixture A and B is in hot water. On the other hand, if the temperature balance of the environment mixture is disturbed, and a quick increase in temperature was added to the self-heating of mixture A and B, especially to a supercritical or critical level above 55 ° C, then heating the mixture can go so far that the mixture becomes bubbly, smokes and may even ignite spontaneously. So don’t particularly get carried away by speeding up the gluing process and just in case have a bowl of ice on hand to quickly put your improvised home chemical reactor there.

Sometimes you can find recommendations to speed up the curing time by increasing the amount of hardener, and to slow it down by decreasing it. Remember: the epoxy products you buy at retail, as well as glues made with household epoxy adhesives, will be hopelessly damaged if you follow these tips.

It is possible to slow down or speed up the polymerization processes in epoxy compounds in domestic conditions by hardeners working on the principle of cold curing by increasing or decreasing the reaction temperature. You can increase it by heating the mixture no higher than 50 ° C degrees, and lowering the pour point by possibly cooling the mixture of epoxy compound with hardener.

To hardeners, working on the principles of cold reaction, that is, at temperatures up to 55 ° C degrees, include various amines. They work by revealing epoxy groups to form hydroxyl, followed by the growth of complex spatial polymers.

The most massive of them are polyethylene polyamine (PEPA) and triethylenetetramine (THETA). Combined curing methods are possible with these types of hardeners. It is ordinary cold, at room temperature, and with an increase in temperature in the second stage of polymerization, when the mixture has already solidified, but slow processes continue to go on inside it. Still, it is difficult to call such a curing method hot, because hot processes have temperatures from 100 ° C to 200 ° C degrees, and the second stage of cold barely reaches a temperature of 80 ° C degrees.

Stages look like this:

1. Curing for 24 hours at room temperature, and in the second stage, the product or glued surfaces are placed in a box or the like of an autoclave, only dry, without steam, like saine, for 5 hours at a temperature of about 80 ° C degrees.
2. The second stage is equivalent to another two to three days at ordinary temperature, but the strength of the connection will be higher. The epoxy polymer obtained by mixing, which has solidified during the first days at normal room temperature, is no longer susceptible to active reactions, and when heated above the critical temperature for a liquid resin, it can neither bubble, smoke, nor even ignite spontaneously.

PEPA works well at room temperatures, but, firstly, it is impossible to obtain a completely colorless transparent compound, it will always be colored yellow or brownish, and secondly, according to the technical specifications, polyethylene polyamine obtained by industrial methods contains up to 75% of VAT. which is toxic, and when the epoxy solidified by PEPA is heated, phenols will start to stand out from it, which makes products with it unsuitable for food.

With TETA, the picture is somewhat different, the second, high-temperature stage at 80 ° C degrees is not only desirable, it is mandatory. Otherwise, the product will retain a sticky surface for a long time, if not forever, triethylenetetramine will show all its useful qualities only during polymerization with resin with increasing temperature in the second stage. In addition, if TETA is used as a hardener, it is necessary to observe the mixing proportions recommended by the instruction as accurately as possible.

If a spread of 100 to 14.4 grams of hardener is possible per 100 grams of resin using PEPA, then with TETA, if it is said that the proportion should be 10 to 1, then this should be done. The lack of hardener will cause incomplete solidification of the mixed composition, and its excess will cause bubbling and increased fragility of the finished product or gluing.

The curing reaction of the hot formulations goes along the chain: the opening of the epoxy group - the formation of hydroxyl - the formation of ether groups. Structurally, it looks like a molecule with branches more extensive and longer than that of resins with a cold type of cure. The hot hardening process of the composition is the esterification of the resin with hardening according to the scheme of a three-dimensional polymer.

High temperature is ensured by the construction of special airtight boxes, where it is possible to increase and maintain temperatures in the range from 100 ° C to 200 ° C degrees.Under domestic conditions, it is hardly possible to create such an environment; therefore, we restrict ourselves to such a brief explanation of the principle of hot curing.

How to ensure good fluidity

Epoxy glue and epoxy resin for volume and areal fillings, with all their difference in composition (fillers and diluents are added to adhesives), have such excellent quality as increased adhesion, that is, the ability to adhere to glued materials. The main thing is to ensure the cleanliness of glued surfaces from mechanical and chemical contaminants. This is achieved by machining them before gluing with an abrasive skin of various fineness, and then degreasing with agents, for this they take acetone or ethyl alcohol. Acetone can also be added with a too thick resin, but not more than 1/20 of its volume, it will reduce the mechanical strength of the adhesive joint.

But the main way to thin an excessively thickened compound, or part A, is to heat it. The resin is heated to make it more liquid before the hardener is introduced into it, otherwise there is a risk of obtaining a solid monolith even before you want to use it for work. To do this, a cup with a measured amount of resin is placed in hot water, carefully, so as not to cause air bubbles, stir it with a stick, and only after uniform heating, hardener is added, and the hardener is also mixed carefully.

Do not allow splashes and splashes of a mixed composition, at this stage it is as toxic as possible. For respiratory protection, wear a respirator with an organic filter. Gloves are put on hands. Eyes are protected by glasses.

Resins and hardeners are available for sale, providing a different degree of adhesion of the surfaces to be bonded and a different structure and physical properties of the resin after curing. An example is shoe glue based on epoxy resins, which for normal functioning in this quality does not require structural rigidity. Flexibility is needed, how many times a day shoes undergo bending-bending cycles, and for such adhesives the mixing ratios of the main composition A with hardener B may differ from those indicated above. But information about this with certified adhesives must be placed either directly on the packaging, or in the attached printed instructions. If none of this is present, you have a fake, it is better not to take such an epoxy material.

The instructions may also contain not strict mixing standards, but their dependence on shelf life, ambient temperature, and the use of alternative types of hardener.

Little tricks

The compound, that is, part A, in some types of epoxy resins is extremely thick, the consistency is “candied honey”. Putting such a resin into a syringe, even without a needle, is difficult. Then proceed as follows, plug the cannula with any cork, remove the piston from the body, put the resin in the wide open part of the syringe with a spatula to the top, insert the piston into place, and you can measure the desired dose, guided by the divisions on the syringe body. To facilitate the application of resin into the syringe, heat the composition in a water bath to 50-55 ° C degrees.

Use disposable tableware. It’s practically impossible to clean containers from epoxy that were used to dilute components A and B, and disposable cups cost a penny, and the polymer should be prepared for use in them.

If you plan a large amount of bonding or pouring with epoxy, buy compounds that are not subject to self-heating. Otherwise, you risk getting in the room where you work, if not a fire, then heavy smoke with toxic smoke and odor.

For simple bonding of surfaces, if they are smooth and glossy, do not really count on high adhesion of the adhesive. First pre-treat the surfaces to be bonded with an emery cloth to create a roughness. Then degrease these surfaces, smear both with a thin, about 1 mm, layer of glue and a sliding motion, so that there is no air between the surfaces, connect them.

Remove any excess glue with a cloth and ensure that the surfaces are pressed against each other by a load, a clamp or a rope wrapping. In a day, all this can be removed, and the product can be placed in an oven for an hour or two, it can be in an ordinary oven, only with a controlled temperature, setting a maximum of 80 ° C degrees. Of course, warming up is done only for those products to which it will not bring harm, you’d better not put shoes in the oven. In such cases, the surfaces to be glued after removing compression or cargo simply withstand from 2 to 7 days, depending on the basic properties of the adhesive, which must necessarily be information on the package.

Advantages of epoxy glue.

The main advantage of epoxy glue - adhesive strength. When fully dried, the epoxy has a high hardness exceeding the hardness of most types of plastics. Good adhesive bond epoxy as they say "you can’t take your teeth away." Or “glued to the dead” is also about epoxy. This is an excellent material not only for repair, but also for the manufacture of parts and details of mechanisms. Epoxy can be cast almost everything - from souvenirs to reinforced, medium-loaded machine parts.

The disadvantages of epoxy glue.

Sometimes epoxylong dryt. This is due to non-compliance epoxy adhesive technology and at the wrong temperature conditions. Also, the disadvantages of epoxy can be attributed to bad adhesion (sticking) to the smooth surfaces of certain types of plastics. Therefore, before gluing the product, it is necessary to carefully sandpaperscratch, scratch, scratch, etc.

Epoxy adhesive hardener - very toxic rubbish. It cannot even be sniffed - an instant spasm of the lungs occurs.

Preparation of surfaces before gluing with epoxy.

Before gluing parts with epoxy, it is necessary to analyze how such a connection will subsequently be loaded. What surfaces will go under the glue. If possible, it is necessary to leave as large gaps of glue as possible near the seam, in order to increase the stiffness and useful area of ​​glue coverage. It is necessary to think over, maybe it is still worth pouring some additional adjacent surfaces with glue to increase the overall rigidity of the structure.

Our glued part today is a hollow sleeve, an eaves bracket for curtains. This part has cavities in which actually epoxy filled. For good contact of epoxy glue and bushings, the inner surfaces of its cavities must be scratched and notched with a sharp object, otherwise epoxy may peel off from plastic surfaces. We also fasten the glued part by a bolt, passing it through a central hole that is not involved in the gluing process. However, tape tape over the sleeve to prevent leakage of not frozen epoxy. Still, this is, although loaded, but still, a detail of the interior.

Proportions of resin and hardener of epoxy glue.

For successful bonding, carefully observe proportion of epoxy and hardener. The proportion must be accurate - 10 : 1. I.e 10 parts epoxy and 1 part epoxy hardener (brown toxic substance). This is a prerequisite when preparing epoxy. If you don’t comply, epoxy glue does not harden for a long time. It is convenient to use two medical syringes to ensure accurate proportions. Moreover, after preparing the composition, syringes can not be thrown away, but hidden until the next time. The main thing is to sign where which syringe (for epoxy and hardener) - so as not to confuse and not mix the remnants of glue in the syringe. So they will always be at hand.

Calculation of the volume of epoxy glue when pouring.

With a simple bonding two parts with epoxy glue everything is simple. We breed a little glue - the necessary amount "by eye". Approximate amount for lubricating two surfaces. Usually the volume is measured in drops, grams, spoons.

But if you need to make a part - epoxy casting or pour epoxy in the cavity of the part - in this case we need to measure or calculate the required volume. For example, to calculate the required amount of epoxy that will be poured into our bracket, I first poured water into it with a syringe, counting milliliters. In general, if you do not want to underfill or overfill - you need to know the volume in advance!

Preparation of epoxy glue.

How to make epoxy? - For the preparation of epoxy glue First you need to find a suitable container in which the glue will be mixed. The capacity must be stable, and not shallow. Plastic trimmed in the usual way Pet bottle from under water to prepare a mixture in it is not very convenient. The bottom of such a bottle usually has five recesses, which do not allow qualitatively stir the entire mixture with a small amount. It is more convenient to use the neck of a plastic bottle from under the water, with a tightly screwed stopper. Also, you should first take care of where this unstable neck will subsequently be placed. when stirring epoxy. Because the stirring of the epoxy, holding the vessel in hands is fraught with damaged carpets, clothes, etc. In short, before stirring the epoxy, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare, and not to do it “from the bay-bay”, as it was and in what way.

Further mix the epoxy carefully (5-10 minutes) until uniform grease mass.

Fill the mass in the cavity and leave to dry completely.

Decorative epoxy painting.

Epoxy decorative painting It involves coloring it in any color, adding and mixing in any quantities special industrial dyes based on oil for the sake of aesthetic characteristics. And as a result, neglecting the hardness and strength of the product. That is, here the aesthetic properties of the epoxy product (color, shade) are put first and not mechanical (strength, hardness). Decorative epoxy painting is mainly used in the manufacture of all kinds of handmade souvenirs and jewelry, decorative crafts, etc. It should be said that the amount added dye should not exceed 10% of the amount of epoxy. You can do more, but then the product will be too fragile or soft. For uniform epoxy staining, first you need to add the dye to the resin and mix, and then add the hardener.

Technical painting epoxy.

Technical epoxy painting implies the addition of special dyes to it in small quantities that do not change its hardness and strength. Naturally, in this case, the palette is poor, but the goal here is no longer glamor, but Industrial Design and technical aesthetics with the preservation of strength. So, for example, adding a small amount of toner to the resin for printing will color the product black without changing its hardness. However, it is better not to paint at all responsible and loaded adhesive joints and products made of epoxy resin. Or, if you really need aesthetics, paint it superficially.

Epoxy hardening process.

Keep in mind that epoxy hardens faster when in a fairly warm environment. In other words, epoxy glued thing need to be placed on a battery or left in the sun on a hot day. Epoxy solidification time depends on many factors (the exact proportion of the mixture, temperature, shelf life, storage conditions of epoxy resin and hardener in stock). Usually, epoxy hardening time - from several hours to several days. However, there are times when epoxy hardens for a very long time - weeks and months. We must not panic and be patient, because, in the end, it will harden all the same. It is also possible that slow hardening is due to epoxy freezing in a store, in a warehouse, during transportation.

If the part to be glued must withstand some loads during operation, it is better to wait a little longer - to dry, overexpose the part for a couple of days. The criterion for the complete drying of the epoxy can be the tip of the knife, which leaves no traces when pressed. Other conditions (milder) may over time deform epoxy layer when changing the position of the glued part. Not fully hardened epoxy simply put, over time it will slowly drain or shift under its own weight.

Toxicity of epoxy hardener.

A few words about safety: - epoxy hardener (brown component) is very toxic substance. Fumes (pairs) epoxy hardener cause lung spasm, burns of the respiratory system, suffocation. In no case do not try to smell epoxy hardener! Instantly "clogged" breathing. Work with a large volume of epoxy glue must be carried out outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Systematic work with epoxy in production It is equal to harmful work with all the ensuing consequences (surcharge for harmfulness, etc.).

Composition

The basis of the composition is epoxy resin. Before gluing it must be mixed with a hardener.

Such an additional component may be polyethylene polyamine, triethylenetetramine or anhydrite. Combining with the resin, the hardener forms a strong polymer substance. The hardener may also be polyamine, carboxylic acids, aminoamides. Hardeners account for 5-15% of the composition. To improve the toughness characteristics, rubber is added to the mixture. To reduce the combustibility of the agent, organoform modifiers are mixed into it, and laproksiv increases the elasticity of the glue.

One-component adhesives include solvents. Upon contact with air, they evaporate and the mixture hardens. As a solvent, acetone, xylene, alcohol can be added to the glue. Its content in the composition does not exceed 3%.

• Additionally, synthetic rubber, formaldehyde resin, fiberglass, metal oxides, metal powder, clay or chalk can be mixed into the adhesive mixture.
• To give the mass plasticity, its composition can be supplemented with plasticizers that prevent glue crumbling after crystallization (for example, phthalic or phosphoric acid). The seam after applying glue with a plasticizer is more elastic and durable. Add. components in epoxy can be 5-50% of the bulk. While the proportion of fillers that increase the characteristics, can reach up to 300%.

Possible components and additives

By adding various components to the adhesive, you can improve performance.

• Powder aluminum. Increases thermal conductivity and strength of the seam.
• Asbestos improves temperature resistance and makes the seam harder.
• Iron oxide stains the seam in red and increases its fire resistance.
• Iron powder increases the coefficient of thermal conductivity and heat resistance.
• Soot makes the glue line black.

• Silicon dioxide makes the composition less viscous, but more durable after drying.
• Titanium dioxide makes transparent glue white.
• Alumina increases the strength of the composition and its dielectric characteristics.
• Glass fibers and wood chips help add volume to the mix. This is necessary when large voids are filled with epoxy.

Areas of use

Epoxy composition is widely used. Work with glue is carried out in the following areas.

• In construction. The glue is used to fill cracks in concrete, cement screed, in reinforced concrete beams, for sealing joints in panel houses. Its use provides the structure with additional strength. They connect iron and concrete parts during the construction of bridges. Epoxy is used for sealing insulation, sandwich panels, chipboard, to reduce heat loss, for surface finishing with tiles or mosaics. Epoxy is a part of primers, putties, tiled mixtures.
• In mechanical engineering. You can glue brake pads, attach parts made of plastic and metal. The composition is used during repair work, to connect metal or plastic parts. Since the adhesive is water-resistant, it is possible to close openings in the body or fuel tank with it, and to carry out restoration of the skin.
• In shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing. In shipbuilding, their hull is epoxy treated to make it waterproof. Fiberglass parts and fastenings of technological units are connected. During the assembly of the aircraft, heat protection elements are attached. The tool is used in the production and fixing of solar panels.
• At home. The composition can be used to repair furniture, shoes, plastic, metal and wooden elements, to repair equipment. Cracks in glass vases, shades, aquariums are closed with epoxy. Even shattered pieces can be restored to their original shape. The product sticks chips of porcelain stoneware, cracks in the ceramic tile are closed, hooks or holders on the walls are fixed. Fashionable designers and architects use epoxy for filling countertops, creating designer furniture. It is used in needlework, in the manufacture of souvenirs. The composition fix the fasteners in the manufacture of jewelry or hair accessories. They are glued sequins, beads, half beads, lace, satin ribbons, leather, polymer clay and so on.

In composition

1. One-component epoxy adhesive. It is a clear mixture consisting of a liquid resin or a resinous solvent. The glue is packaged in small tubes and does not require preparation before use. A one-component agent glues small parts well; it is used to seal joints in pipes or cracks and gaps. Most compounds freeze on their own. But some brands can seize only after strong heating.
2. Two-component epoxy adhesive. This is the most common form of release. It consists of two components, each of which is packed in a separate tube. The first tube contains resin; the second contains hardener. The second component may have a liquid or powdery consistency. Before use, the resin is mixed with a hardener. The components must be drained into one container and mixed with a spatula. A 2-component composition is applied to the surface within 1-2 minutes after preparation, because after this time it hardens and loses its properties.

Consistency

• Liquid. Such epoxy adhesives need to be squeezed out of the tube. It can be used sparingly, since there is the possibility of spot application. Allows you to glue small parts. Liquid adhesives are often available in syringes. This is a ready-to-use composition.

• Pasty. The tool in the form of a plastic mass in texture is similar to ordinary plasticine. To work, you need to cut off a sufficient amount of paste, knead it and slightly moisten with water. The finished composition should have a thick consistency. After cooking, it is applied to the surface to be bonded.

By method of curing

• Mixtures based on liquefied resin, aliphatic polyamide and plasticizers set quickly, but their complete hardening at t = + 20 ° C occurs in 1-3 days. They are structured long enough. To increase the strength of the seam, it must be thermally treated after application. Seams not treated with high temperatures are resistant to aggressive acid-base environments. But without heat treatment, the seam will be poorly resistant to prolonged exposure to moisture. This must be taken into account when bonding wooden and other hydrophilic substrates.
• Modifications of adhesive structures can harden at t from +60 to + 120 ° С. They glue the bases, the material of which is characterized by toughness and increased resistance to solvents like oil or gasoline.
• Heavy-duty high-temperature adhesives, for hardening of which it is necessary to influence the joint with temperatures in the range from +140 to + 300 ° С. Compounds of this type have electrical insulating and heat-resistant characteristics.

Specifications

Consumption

The consumption of glue on an epoxy basis will depend on the thickness of the layer of its application.

The average consumption per 1 m2 with a layer of 1 mm is 1.1 kg.

If porous substrates like concrete, wood or wooden boards are pasted over, consumption increases. To fill the voids with a volume of 1 cm. Cube. need to use 1.1 g of the mixture.

How much dries

Drying time depends on the ambient temperature and the ratio of the main components in the composition. To accelerate the setting of the product, you need to add more hardener to it. To increase the curing speed, the adhesive joint can be heated after setting. If you increase the heating temperature, the composition hardens faster.

Epoxy glue dries in different ways. It all depends on its type.

1. Cold welding hardens in 5-20 minutes.
2. After an hour, the liquid mixtures become thick, after 2 they set, and completely polymerize in a day.

If the glue does not harden (or dries for a very long time), it is possible that it is expired, or the proportions are not observed when preparing the mixture.

It is not necessary to carry out gluing at sub-zero temperatures, since the adhesive joint does not crystallize normally. To accelerate the hardening, it is better to work at a temperature of +10 to + 30 ° C.

Temperature mode

After hardening, most grades withstand temperatures up to + 150 ... + 180 ° С, while the strength characteristics of the weld do not decrease.

Some adhesives are characterized by increased heat resistance, so they can withstand + 250 ° C. There is a type of glue with increased heat resistance, it keeps its shape with a short-term exposure to it at a temperature of + 400 ° C.

For normal curing of the glue, it is enough that the temperature is from +20 to + 23 ° C. Some grades can harden at + 10 ... + 15 ° С.

If the composition needs to be made more liquid, the resin must be heated in a water bath, while the melting point is 50-60 ° C. After melting, the epoxy is easily filled with a syringe and applied to the prepared surfaces pointwise.

On average, the operating temperature is + 10 ... + 30 ° C, but depending on the brand, it may vary.

Is it harmful to health

Epoxy glue is unhealthy, therefore, they can not glue the dishes and all objects that will come into contact with food.

If the components of the product enter the digestive system, there is a high risk of poisoning. Skin contact may cause an allergic reaction. Working with epoxy is better when wearing gloves.

The difference between epoxy glue and resin

Epoxy resin in its composition is a polymer connected to a hardener, and glue based on it is a complex compound, including modifiers and fillers.

One can distinguish one from another by some signs.

1. Hardening speed. The manufacturer on the packaging of the adhesive indicates the exact time of its hardening, which is impossible to accelerate or slow down. It is possible to influence the polymerization rate of the resin by exposure from outside.
2. Color. The resin is initially transparent. Over time, only a little shade changes. The glue is also colorless at first, but over time it turns yellow.
3. Scope of application. The resin is added in the manufacture of plastic, putty, primers, paints, and it is also filled with it. Glue is used only for repair and construction work.