How to properly use epoxy glue and its popular brands

Not all types of adhesives are suitable for repair, restoration and installation of plastic elements. Plastic polymers can melt, change their structure, color, or crumble under the influence of chemical compounds. In order not to damage the base and ensure a high level of fixation, you need to choose the right composition for each type of material.

Compound

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, triethylene tetramine or anhydrite. When combined with the resin, the hardener forms a durable polymer substance. The hardener can 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 flammability of the product, organophosphorus modifiers are mixed into it, and laproxy increases the elasticity of the glue.

One-component adhesives contain solvents. On contact with air they evaporate and the mixture hardens. Acetone, xylene, and alcohol can be added to the glue as a solvent. 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 impart plasticity to the mass, its composition can be supplemented with plasticizers that prevent the glue from crumbling after crystallization (for example, phthalic or phosphoric acid). After applying glue with a plasticizer, the seam becomes more elastic and durable. Add. components in epoxy can make up 5-50% of the bulk. While the proportion of fillers that improve performance can reach up to 300%.

Not only with metals

With proper preparation of surfaces, epoxy can be used to glue not only metal to metal, but also metal to other materials. Only Teflon, silicone and rubber will not be glued with it. Basically, if the glue has normal, reliable adhesion to the material, and the surfaces are sufficiently prepared, that is, cleaned, degreased and sanded, then wood, ceramics or porcelain, glass, and much more can be combined with metal.

This concerns chemical activity, and now let's talk about strength. Yes, compared to welding or even soldering, the adhesive connection is inferior, but it is universal. Moreover, dissimilar materials can be bonded with adhesives. After all, there are also metals that cannot be welded or soldered together.

In some processes, especially in chemical reactors, changing the structure of metals is unacceptable, and what is welding or soldering if not the diffuse penetration of some metals into others, with inevitable deformations of the crystal lattice and associated stresses? Epoxy glue, especially one specially designed for such cases, solves this problem with ease. The tightness provided by epoxy joints works even under high pressure, in particular in the depths of the sea or in aggressive environments.

Possible components and additives

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

• Powdered aluminum. Increases thermal conductivity and strength of the seam.
• Asbestos improves resistance to temperatures and makes the seam harder.
• Iron oxide colors the seam red and increases its fire resistance.
• Iron powder increases the coefficient of thermal conductivity and heat resistance.
• Soot turns the glue line black.

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

Areas of use

Epoxy composition has a wide range of applications. Work with glue is carried out in the following areas.

• In construction. The glue is used to fill cracks in concrete, cement screed, reinforced concrete beams, and to seal seams in panel houses. Its use provides the structure with additional strength. They connect iron and concrete parts in the construction of bridges. Epoxy is used to seal insulation, sandwich panels, chipboard, to reduce heat loss, and to finish surfaces with tiles or mosaics. Epoxy is included in primers, putties, and tile mixtures.
• In mechanical engineering. You can glue brake pads and attach plastic and metal parts. The composition is used for repair work, for joining metal or plastic parts. Since the glue is waterproof, it can be used to seal holes in the body or fuel tank, or to restore skins.
• In shipbuilding and aircraft construction. When boats are built, the hull is treated with epoxy to make it waterproof. Fiberglass parts and fastenings of technological units are connected. During aircraft assembly, thermal protection elements are attached. The product is used in the production and fastening of solar panels.
• At home. The composition can be used to repair furniture, shoes, plastic, metal and wooden elements, and to repair equipment. Epoxy is used to seal cracks in glass vases, lampshades, and aquariums. Even parts broken into fragments can be returned to their original shape. The product is used to glue chips of porcelain stoneware, seal cracks in ceramic tiles, and attach hooks or holders to walls. Fashionable architectural designers use epoxy to fill countertops and create designer furniture. It is used in handicrafts and in making souvenirs. The composition is used to secure fasteners in the manufacture of jewelry or hair accessories. They are used to glue sequins, beads, half-beads, lace, satin ribbons, leather, polymer clay, etc.

Properties

• Seam elasticity. Even if the glued surfaces have slight mobility, the seam will not crack or collapse. The elastic seam is not damaged or chipped when drilling or grinding the surface.
• Versatility. Most known materials can be glued.
• Since the adhesive contains solvents, it cannot be used to glue silicone, polyethylene and Teflon bases; there is a high risk of their destruction. The hardened layer of epoxy can be painted or varnished. In addition, it is resistant to solvents, alkalis and oils.

• Frost resistance. The seam does not lose its strength characteristics when the air temperature drops to -30°C, which is why the product can be used for outdoor work.
• Waterproof. After complete hardening, the seam is not susceptible to moisture, water vapor, or condensation.
• Fast drying. The initial coupling takes no more than two minutes. After complete polymerization, it is almost impossible to detach the glued parts.
• Heat resistance. The composition can withstand high temperatures up to +250°C. There are ultra-heat-resistant adhesives that can withstand up to +400°C.

Kinds

There are 3 basic parameters by which epoxy adhesives are classified:

• compound;
• final consistency;
• hardening method.

By composition

1. One-component epoxy adhesive. This is a transparent mixture consisting of liquid resin or resin-containing solvent. The glue is packaged in small tubes and does not require preparation before use. The one-component product glues small parts well and is used to seal joints in pipes or cracks and gaps. Most compositions harden on their own. But some brands may only set after high heat.
2. Two-component epoxy adhesive. This is the most common form of release. It consists of two components, each of which is packaged in a separate tube. The first tube contains the resin, the second contains the hardener. The second component may have a liquid or powdery consistency. Before use, the resin is mixed with a hardener. The components must be poured into one container and mixed with a spatula. The 2-component composition is applied to the surface within 1-2 minutes after preparation, since after this time it hardens and loses its properties.

Two-component composition in a syringe

By consistency

• Liquid. Such epoxy adhesives need to be squeezed out of the tube. Can be used sparingly as it can be applied to spots. Allows you to glue small parts. Liquid adhesives are often available in syringes. This is a ready-to-use composition.

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

Epoxy plasticine

By curing method

• Mixtures based on liquefied resin, aliphtic polyamide and plasticizers set quickly, but their complete hardening at t=+20°C occurs in 1-3 days. They take a long time to structure. To increase the strength of the seam, after application it must be thermally treated. 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 gluing wooden and other hydrophilic substrates.
• Modifications of adhesive compositions can harden at temperatures from +60 to +120°C. They are used to glue bases, the material of which is characterized by impact strength and increased resistance to the influence of solvents such as oil or gasoline.
• Ultra-strong high-temperature adhesives, for the hardening of which it is necessary to expose the seam to temperatures ranging from +140 to +300°C. Connections of this type have electrical insulating and heat-resistant characteristics.

Bonding technology

Regardless of which surfaces are to be glued, the entire process is divided into three stages:

Cleaning surfaces comes first for a reason.

Epoxy glue tends to set very quickly, so delays are unacceptable. The surfaces to be glued are treated with sandpaper, then degreased and dried.

The second stage is dilution of the adhesive composition. To do this, squeeze the contents of the tube into a prepared container. A few grams of hardener are also added there. Typically this ratio looks like 1:10. Both components are mixed.

Apply the finished mixture to one part and lightly press the second. The parts should be left in this position for 10 minutes. Within a few hours the product can be put into operation.

Specifications

Consumption

The consumption of epoxy-based adhesive will depend on the thickness of the applied layer.

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

If porous substrates such as concrete, wood or wooden slabs are pasted over, the consumption increases. To fill voids with a volume of 1 cm cubic. you need to use 1.1 g of the mixture.

How long does it take to dry?

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

Epoxy glue dries differently. It all depends on its type.

1. Cold welding hardens in 5-20 minutes.
2. Liquid mixtures become thick after an hour, set after 2 hours, and completely polymerize within a day.

If the glue does not harden (or takes a very long time to dry), it is possible that it is expired, or the proportions when preparing the mixture were not met.

You should not carry out gluing at sub-zero temperatures, since the adhesive seam does not normally crystallize. To speed up hardening, it is better to carry out work at temperatures from +10 to +30°C.

Temperature

Most brands, after hardening, can withstand heating temperatures up to +150...+180°C, without reducing the strength characteristics of the seam.

Some adhesives are characterized by increased heat resistance, so they can withstand +250°C. There is a type of glue that has increased heat resistance; it holds its shape when exposed to a temperature of +400°C for a short time.

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

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

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

The difference between epoxy glue and resin

Epoxy resin in its composition is a polymer combined with a hardener, and the adhesive based on it is a complex compound that includes modifiers and fillers.

You can distinguish one from the other by certain characteristics.

1. Hardening speed. The manufacturer indicates on the glue packaging the exact time for its hardening, which cannot be accelerated or slowed down. The rate of polymerization of the resin can be influenced by external influence.
2. Color. The resin is initially transparent. Over time, the shade changes only slightly. The glue is also colorless at first, but over time it turns yellow.
3. Scope of application. Resin is added in the manufacture of plastic, putty, primers, paints, and is also used for filling. Glue is used only for repair and construction work.

How to prepare plastic surfaces for gluing

Before preparing plastic parts for gluing, it is recommended to study the instructions for such work attached to the adhesive composition. In general terms, this procedure looks like this:

Why for one and a half to two hours? Yes, because later it will be much more difficult to tear them off, and besides, constant pressure will not allow the resin to completely polymerize.

Stamps

Epoxy adhesives from Moment

EDP

Two-component Poxipol

Video description

You can watch the whole truth about epoxy resin in the video:

Epoxy is impregnated with fiberglass and industrial threads, added to fiberglass and some types of plastics, and used in the production of paints and varnishes, military body armor, and the filling of circuit boards and PC chips.

Resin and glue have the same technical characteristics, and also require heating for better hardening. The only difference between the resin is that it is an independent two-component substance with a longer hardening time. And glue is a mass with a complex multi-component composition.

The resin is not used in its pure form; it must be mixed with the included hardener. You can also look up how to dilute epoxy resin correctly on the Internet, read the included instructions, ask specialists, as well as consultants in the store.

The resin can be mixed with powder fillers to increase strength, viscosity, beautiful color, streak-free, and fill surface pores (up to 40%). To do this, take chalk, alabaster, cement, aerosil, graphite, titanium and aluminum powder.

Epoxy resinSource www.carbonkevlar.ru

The instructions “How to dilute epoxy resin with a hardener” indicate that polymerization is carried out under the same conditions as for glue: air access, compliance with safety measures, surface preparation, mixing components, gluing process.

Epoxy comes in various types. The epoxy-diane type is very popular for paints and varnishes of a certain marking (for example, ED-16, EP SM PRO, ED-10, etc.). Popular brands “Khimprom”, “EPS 2106”, “Mila Group”, “Leonardo”, “Ekovanna”, etc. have increased strength and hardness.

Epoxy in large packagingSource static.tildacdn.com

When answering the question of how to dilute epoxy resin with a hardener (proportions), it is worth pointing out that the manufacturer must indicate the dilution in mg and the required temperature on two bottles. Different manufacturers indicate different polymer ratios, but they differ only slightly. The normal proportions are 10:1 (the first number is epoxy), 10:6, 10:4, etc. Bottles with marks allow you to make no mistakes in the calculations. If there are no marks on the bottle, use improvised means, for example, kitchen measuring cups.

Clear epoxy for furniture and countertopsSource static.tildacdn.com

Instructions for use

To glue materials, you need to first prepare them, then dilute the glue and only then start gluing.

First, dirt, dust, grease and oil stains must be removed from the surface to be pasted, and then completely degreased. Next, the surface is dried, although there are brands of epoxy adhesives that can paste over wet substrates. To increase the adhesive properties of the surface, it can be wiped with sandpaper after drying.

How to properly dilute

How to use epoxy glue and the exact proportions for its preparation are indicated in the instructions. The usual ratio of resin to hardener is 10 to 1. Sometimes it is necessary to prepare in a ratio of 5:1.

At home, it is better to prepare the glue in a separate container, which will then not come into contact with food. A disposable container is suitable for mixing.

1. First, the resin is squeezed out of the tube.
2. Then the hardener is added.

Mix the ingredients carefully and slowly to prevent a strong thermal reaction in the container. Mixing can be done with a wooden stick or spatula.

If the resin is too thick, it will be difficult to dilute with the hardener. In this case, the component must be dissolved in a water bath at a temperature of up to 50-60°C. To easily dilute the mixture to a uniform consistency, you can place the tube of resin in a pan of hot water before mixing. At the same time, do not allow boiling water to come into contact with the composition, so as not to deteriorate its characteristics.

Since the prepared mixture hardens quickly, you need to mix at a time only the amount that you have time to use before it initially dries.

How to glue

After preparing the surfaces, they need to be lubricated with the prepared glue and pressed tightly against each other. You need to hold them for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, leave until completely hardened (about a day).

For additional fixation, a rope, a vice, or weights can be used.

If small parts are connected, the composition can be applied pointwise with a syringe. The glue is applied to large areas with a brush.

If epoxy is used as a fill, the mold is prepared. Its bottom and sides are treated with fats. Afterwards, the mold is filled with glue and remains in it until completely hardened.

To speed up polymerization, three hours after pouring the glue into the mold, it is sent to the oven for heating. Without additional heating, the glue in the mold hardens no earlier than after a week. If a mold with a thickness of more than 2 mm is poured, then everything is done in stages. After each stage, you need to wait until the previous layer polymerizes.

How to dilute it to a liquid state

A solvent is used to dilute it to a liquid state.

Acetone, xylene, alcohols, and other organic compounds can dissolve epoxy glue.

The amount of thinner should not exceed 3-5% of the dry volume of the resin, as this may negatively affect the adhesive qualities of the composition.

You can dissolve the epoxy in a water bath, heating it to a temperature of 50-60°C.

What it is

The main substance of this type of glue is epoxy resin, which is a synthetic oligomer that cannot be used in its pure form. Each manufacturer's liquid two-component epoxy glue can be presented in different consistencies - liquid or solid, and differs in shade from honey color to dark tones. The two main components of epoxy adhesive are resin and hardeners, which give it adhesive properties. Hardeners can be polyethylene, polyamine, anhydride, triethylenetetramine. It is this tandem that forms a particularly strong polymer structure.

Security measures

During work, the room must be thoroughly ventilated. It is better to do gluing in the fresh air. These precautions are necessary because the epoxy mixture produces toxic fumes.

1. You need to glue in thick clothing, with a respirator or protective mask on your face.
2. Hands are protected with gloves.
3. If the mixture gets on exposed skin, it should be washed off immediately with soap and water.
4. The container in which the composition is mixed is thrown away after use. Food and drinking water cannot be stored in it, since even a small dose of glue entering the body can cause poisoning.

How to wash

If the glue gets on a surface that is not to be glued and has not yet had time to harden, it can be cleaned with a soap solution. Stubborn residues can be removed with acetone. The hardened mixture can be removed with liquid vegetable oils, under the influence of which it softens and peels off.

• Freezing. Epoxy can withstand low temperatures down to -20°C, so freezing it in a home freezer is ineffective. It must be removed with an aerosol refrigerant. If you spray it on the adhesive surface, it will become brittle. Afterwards, you need to remove the glue with a spatula or a blunt knife. Removal must be done carefully to avoid injury from glue fragments.
• Heat. The glue softens when heated with a household hair dryer or iron. Solid heat-resistant layers must be heated with a hairdryer with heated air flow at the maximum level for several minutes. The softened areas are scraped off with a spatula. Heat until all excess residue is removed. If epoxy drips onto the fabric, it needs to be heated with an iron, placing a cotton rag on the front side of the material.
• Scraping. Hard, scratch-resistant surfaces can be cleaned of the adhesive mixture mechanically. Any metal tool can be used for this.
• Exposure to chemical solvents. This method cleans wear-resistant materials that are not exposed to aggressive environments. Acetone, alcohol, butyl acetate, aniline, and toluene can be used as a diluent. You need to moisten the contaminated area with any of these products, wait until the glue softens and remove its remains mechanically. You can remove glue from mirror surfaces with acetic acid.

Storage

Epoxy should be stored in its original packaging at air temperature from +20 to +25°C. The product must be placed in a vertical position in a dry place.

The tube with the mixture should not be placed in direct sunlight; it should also be stored away from children and away from food.

If the container is damaged, the glue will lose its properties.

Shelf life depends on the manufacturer. May last from 1 to 3 years. After this period has expired, the quality of the glue may deteriorate slightly. The fresher the components of the adhesive mixture, the better the polymerization process of the composition, the faster the glue and the surface adhere, and a stronger seam is obtained. If there is still some of them left in the original packaging after mixing the components, you need to store the tubes with resin and hardener in the refrigerator. You must first remove as much air as possible from the tubes. The prepared mixture cannot be stored for long periods of time. After use, any remaining glue must be disposed of.

Nuances of using EDP

In order to use the liquid if necessary and be sure of its effectiveness, you should store the bottle correctly, the permitted temperature range is +5-+30 degrees.

Exposure to sunlight will negatively affect the characteristics of the composition; after 2 years, the solution is already considered unsuitable for use.

Before carrying out work, it is necessary to organize good ventilation of the room, since the liquid has a persistent and pungent odor, it would not be superfluous to open the windows wide or turn on the ventilation.