Epoxy resins

The chemistry of epoxy resins revolves around the ethylene oxide ring. The resins are produced by reacting a derivative of coal tar. bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. These resins arc manufactured in New Zealand and are used in—

(i) Surface coatings.

(ii) Dies and castings.

(iii) Foams.

(iv) Laminates.

(v) Adhesive.

(vi) Body solders and patching compounds.

There is no difference between the resins used in surface coatings and in the plastics, other than the molecular weight. The lower molecular weight compounds are pourable liquids, the higher are hard solids.

These resins become very hard and tough when polymerized through reaction with various chemical hardeners, mainly polyamides.

The basic research for these materials has been done overseas.