Many of us have heard of the term ‘epoxy’ these days without fully understanding what it means. All we know is that it has something to do with flooring. While epoxy has been around for many years now, it only gained popularity in recent times as it became a popular option for people to floor their house with. But the use of epoxy goes beyond just flooring as it can be used in many areas of construction. To understand how versatile epoxy is and how it can be used, it is necessary that you understand what epoxy is and how it works, which is what we would discuss in today’s post.
What Is Epoxy?
What we commonly refer to as epoxy is cured epoxy resin that is then mixed with a hardener or glue. This allows it to bind with any surface it is applied on, that is why it is used as a flooring option. The epoxy resin itself is a kind of polymer, which is formed by a compound of two or more chemicals including epoxides. Epoxy has a plastic feel to it yet can be very tough and hard. Depending on the kind of hardener used with it, epoxy can be applied to various surfaces including glass, wood, metal, concrete, and so on. This versatile nature of epoxy makes its use numerous and every day, we discover more uses of the material.
Beyond flooring, epoxy resin is also used in the production of plastic, paint, adhesives, sealers, primers, and so on. Let us look at some of the uses of epoxy in construction below
Epoxy Flooring
These days, people are making the move to epoxy flooring in their homes and offices. Epoxy flooring is durable, has a shimmering appearance, and comes in a range of colors and designs, depending on what you want. Epoxy flooring is also affordable and very resistant to stains and spills. It is made from cured or liquid epoxy resin that is then mixed with a hardener. A pigment is then added to it to give color and design to the floor.
Epoxy Adhesive
Have you ever used any of those engineering adhesives that tend to just stick to any surface or bind two different materials? It is usually made from epoxy. This is because epoxy can stick on most surfaces. This allows it to be used in manufacturing laminated wood which can be used for decks, roofs, and even walls. As an adhesive, epoxy is used in boat building, furniture, and other forms of construction that do not require welding or nailing parts.
Epoxy Sealants and Coatings
Epoxy is also used in the manufacturing of industrial sealants and coatings because of its durability and toughness. This would offer strong protection to any surface it is added on including aluminum, iron, and steel.
Why Use Epoxy?
Epoxy offers some qualities over similar materials that have made it a stable choice in some aspects. This includes
Affordability
Epoxy is cheaper to use than some other materials that would get the job done. When used in flooring, epoxy is cheaper to use than some other flooring options. This is also the case when it is used as a coating, adhesive, or sealant.
Epoxy has a lot of advantages and benefits that make it appropriate for construction. Hiring a good epoxy contractor would show you that there is no limit to how epoxy can be used.
Flexibility
Compared to other kinds of polymer or adhesive, epoxy binds well with most surfaces and materials. This makes it an excellent choice whenever two or more materials need to be bound together.
Strength
Once the epoxy hardens, it has a strength that cannot be rivaled by other kinds of polymers. This makes it both perfect for binding materials together and beings used as a coating.
Protection
Epoxy offers quality protection to any surface it is applied on. It is waterproof, resistant to stains and spills, and is also tough, meaning you would not easily see scratches on it.
Durability
Compared to a lot of other materials, epoxy can last for a very long time without needing replacement. If it is used as glue, you can be sure that the material it is used to bound would stick together for a very long time.
Resistance
Another reason why epoxy is widely used is because of its resistant nature. It is resistant to oil and chemical spills. It is also heat and water-resistant. That is why it makes such a powerful coating and sealant.
