Editing Epoxy (section)

{{Short description|Type of material}}
{{About|the thermoset plastic materials|the chemical group|epoxide}}

[[File:FiveMinEpoxy.jpg|thumb|A syringe of "5-minute" epoxy glue, containing separate compartments for the epoxy resin and the hardener]]
[[File:Epoxide generic.svg|thumb|Structure of the [[epoxide]] group, a reactive functional group present in all epoxy resins]]

'''Epoxy''' is the family of basic components or [[Curing (chemistry)|cured]] end products of '''epoxy [[Resin|resins]]'''.  Epoxy resins, also known as '''polyepoxides''', are a class of reactive [[prepolymer]]s and [[polymer]]s which contain [[epoxide]] groups. The epoxide functional group is also collectively called ''epoxy''.<ref name="May2018">{{cite book |first=Clayton |last=May |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1XlaDwAAQBAJ&q=%22Epoxies+are+the+resins+most+commonly+employed%22&pg=RA2-PA64 |title=Epoxy Resins: Chemistry and Technology |date=2018 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-351-44995-3 |edition=2nd |page=65 }}</ref> The [[IUPAC]] name for an epoxide group is an [[oxirane]].

Epoxy resins may be reacted ([[cross-linked]]) either with themselves through [[catalytic]] homo[[polymerisation]], or with a wide range of co-reactants including polyfunctional amines, acids (and [[acid anhydride]]s), phenols, alcohols and [[thiols]] (sometimes called mercaptans). These co-reactants are often referred to as hardeners or curatives, and the cross-linking reaction is commonly referred to as [[Curing (chemistry)|curing]].

Reaction of polyepoxides with themselves or with polyfunctional hardeners forms a [[thermosetting polymer]], often with favorable mechanical properties and high thermal and chemical resistance. Epoxy has a wide range of applications, including [[metal coating]]s, composites,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rodríguez-Uicab |first1=Omar |last2=Abot |first2=Jandro L. |last3=Avilés |first3=Francis |date=January 2020 |title=Electrical Resistance Sensing of Epoxy Curing Using an Embedded Carbon Nanotube Yarn |journal=Sensors |language=en |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=3230 |doi=10.3390/s20113230 |pmc=7309011 |pmid=32517164|bibcode=2020Senso..20.3230R |doi-access=free }}</ref>  use in electronics, electrical components (e.g. for [[Chip on board|chips on board]]), LEDs, high-tension [[electrical insulator]]s, [[paint brush|paintbrush]] manufacturing, [[Fibre-reinforced plastic|fiber-reinforced plastic]] materials, and [[adhesive]]s for structural<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Miturska |first1=Izabela |last2=Rudawska |first2=Anna |last3=Müller |first3=Miroslav |last4=Hromasová |first4=Monika |date=January 2021 |title=The Influence of Mixing Methods of Epoxy Composition Ingredients on Selected Mechanical Properties of Modified Epoxy Construction Materials |journal=Materials |language=en |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=411 |doi=10.3390/ma14020411 |pmc=7830189 |pmid=33467604|bibcode=2021Mate...14..411M |doi-access=free }}</ref> and other purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Patent Application for FIRE-RESISTANT GLAZING Patent Application (Application #20130196091 issued August 1, 2013) - Justia Patents Search |url=https://patents.justia.com/patent/20130196091 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=patents.justia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sukanto |first1=Heru |last2=Raharjo |first2=Wijang Wisnu |last3=Ariawan |first3=Dody |last4=Triyono |first4=Joko |last5=Kaavesina |first5=Mujtahid |title=Epoxy resins thermosetting for mechanical engineering |journal=Open Engineering |date=12 July 2021 |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=797–814 |doi=10.1515/eng-2021-0078 |bibcode=2021OEng...11...78S |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The health risks associated with exposure to epoxy resin compounds include contact dermatitis and allergic reactions, as well as respiratory problems from breathing vapor and sanding dust, especially from compounds not fully cured.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Health Effects from Overexposure to Epoxy • WEST SYSTEM|url=https://www.westsystem.com/safety/health-effects-from-overexposure-to-epoxy/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=WEST SYSTEM }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mathias |first=C. G. Toby |date=1987 |title=Allergic Contact Dermatitis from a Nonbisphenol A Epoxy in a Graphite Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Laminate |journal=Journal of Occupational Medicine |volume=29 |issue=9 |pages=754–755 |jstor=45007846 |pmid=3681510 }}</ref><ref name="Holness Nethercott Occupational Contact Dermatitis">{{cite journal |last1=Holness |first1=D. Linn |last2=Nethercott |first2=James R. |title=Occupational Contact Dermatitis Due to Epoxy Resin in a Fiberglass Binder |journal=Journal of Occupational Medicine |date=1989 |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=87–89 |jstor=45015475 |pmid=2523476 }}</ref>