What is an epoxy adhesive?

Adhesives are used to stick two different components together. These adhesives can be for industrial usage or household usage. Household adhesives aren’t that strong, but when it comes to industry grade adhesives, they are generally really strong. Epoxy adhesive is one such industrial grade adhesive that is used in the electronics industry.

Formulation of epoxy adhesive: Epoxy resin adhesive is created by polymerizing a mixture of two compounds. The starting compounds are resin and hardener. While creating this adhesive, the resin is mixed with a specified catalyst i.e. hardener. This initiates a process known as curing.

Curing process is a process by which there is a reaction of sites that are chemically active. This process results in a reaction known as exothermic reaction. The covalent bonds between the amine groups of the catalyst i.e. hardener and the epoxide groups of the epoxy resin that are made due to this combination are the deciding factors of how strong the cross linkage of any polymer is. This also dictates how strong and rigid the epoxy adhesive is in real.

How are different kinds of epoxy adhesive created?

Epoxy adhesive or cemedine adhesive can have varied and altered strengths. This can be done by monitoring the curing conditions. You can monitor these conditions by the choice of hardener compounds, the choice of epoxy resin and temperature. This allows us to alter the properties of mechanical strength as well as chemical, electrical and thermal resistance of the adhesive. By monitoring the curing conditions, epoxy adhesives are designed for different uses and applications.

Uses of epoxy adhesives:

Here are some of the most common uses of epoxy adhesives:

1. Repairing Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a strong type of glass that is generally used in car windshields, trailers, spectacle lenses etc. These adhesives are used to fix broken fiberglass and are generally really effective as well. However, it is not advised to fix the outside of boat hulls with this as these adhesives are sensitive to ultraviolet light, and they might cause more damage than good.
2. Carpentry and Woodworking: Epoxy adhesives can also be used in carpentry and woodworking. The reason for this is that it sets much quicker when compared to regular wood glue. This allows for urgent setups when required. You can also use epoxy adhesives to reinforce the wood glue for much better adhesion.
3. Connecting Electronic Circuit Boards: When you are working on a big electronics project, a lot of circuit boards need to be interconnected. Soldering joins the circuitry, but the boards are left unattached. Therefore, epoxy adhesives are used to attach the boards. These are strong adhesives, which don't hinder the circuitry and ensure a strong adhesion of the connected circuit boards.

Epoxy adhesives are industry grade adhesives that are specially developed for usage in different industries. According to their mechanical and adhesion properties, they are used for various applications mentioned above.

Rohit Jain is well qualified and trained electronic Engineer, he has good knowladge and experience about electronic tools and equipments industry.