What is Epoxy Coating

Everyone who has worked in Industrial Coating/Painting project would have come across Epoxies. Let see some information about them.

Epoxy-based coatings were first developed in the mid-to-late 1950s and are now the most widely used industrial and marine protective coating. They are two-component coatings pack- aged in separate containers. One container holds the epoxy resin (base), the other a curing agent (converter). Epoxies get their name from the reactive portion of the base, an epoxide (oxirane ring).

Most of the epoxy resins are formed by the reaction of bis-phenol A or bis-phenol F with epi-chlorohydrin. Numerous modifications can be made to optimize coating performance. Curing agents include amines, amides, ketamines, and isocyanates.

There are literally hundreds of epoxy resins and curing agents commercially available. These materials are also used in other applications, such as adhesives and structural repair materials. There are also numerous combinations of bases and curing agents.

Epoxies can be solvent-based, water-based, or essentially solvent-free. Epoxies can also be used in powder coating. Epoxies have excellent adhesion, chemical resistance, water resistance, and wet adhesion. They are susceptible to chalking and are normally top coated with a UV-resistant coating when in atmospheric service.