Who invented epoxies and why?

Originally used for dental fixtures, epoxies were created in the 1930s by two scientists, Dr. Pierre Castan in Switzerland and Dr. Sylvan Greenlee in the United States. The first epoxies were amber-coloured solids but soon became widely available as adhesives. Today,...

What are epoxy resins?

Epoxy resins are a class of pre-polymers and polymers containing more than one epoxide group. Through a chemical reaction called curing, epoxy resins are processed with other chemicals to produce epoxy polymers (more commonly known as epoxies). The vast majority of...

What do they look like?

Epoxy resins can come either as low-molecular honey-like liquids or as high-molecular solid, crystalline substances. Following an increase in temperature or when heat is applied, solid epoxy resins will reverse to a liquid state. Cured epoxies are often colourless or...

How are they produced?

Epoxies are produced by cross-linking an epoxy resin together with another chemical called ‘hardener’, or reacting the epoxy resin by itself through catalytic homo-polymerisation. The most common substances used as hardeners are polyamines, aminoamides or phenolic...

How are epoxies used?

Epoxies are used in a number of applications. Their largest applications are found in the construction sector, where thanks to their hardness, strength and durability they are used to coat and protect different materials and surfaces, including piping and flooring....