Epoxy
Epoxy resin is widely used in a number of industries. It is a thermosetting polymer that contains an adhesive formula of one or more epoxy chemical groups. In two part epoxies, the resin of one part reacts with the polyamine hardener of the other part when mixed. The technology behind Epoxy and Epoxy dispensing/mixing systems is constantly evolving. A wide range of epoxies for manufacturing applications are available. Bdtronic can help your team decide which Epoxy best suits your needs.
The Benefits and Uses of Epoxies
One of the major reasons for using epoxies, is that they are stronger and more durable that many other potting/adhering materials. They are also more resistant to chemicals and temperature variations. Certain Epoxies can handle temperature differentials from cryogenic to hundreds of degrees F. This is what makes them ideal for electrical potting and encapsulation. High temperature epoxies are specialized forms of polymers designed to withstand high temperatures upon hardening. They are useful in a variety of commercial, industrial and residential applications. Some are used in motor impregnation processes or PCB board potting. They keep away unwanted heat waves, to preserve lower temperatures. Certain epoxies are used to coat copper electrical wires, as an insulator, while others are used to protect metallic materials from rusting and corroding. Bdtronic has 25 years of experience in mixing, metering and dispensing Epoxies. Let us help you with your application, and you will happy you did.
Reducing epoxy curing time
Light and temperature are the two major factors that affect the curing time of epoxies. The warmer the epoxy mix, the less the time required for curing. One way to speed up the process is an epoxy curing oven. Curing ovens are used after the dispense process has been completed. The mixture must be left to cure and then heated in the adhesive curing oven once it is completed. Failure to cure the mixture initially could damage the epoxy. It is important to select an epoxy curing oven depending on the load size and overall production volume. For approximately every 80°C raise in temperature the cure time is halved. The cure time represents the length of time the adhesive is at a specified temperature and not the amount of time in the adhesive curing oven. The curing speed can also be increased by heating the components after assembly. The introduction of a high intensity UV lamp can increase cure-speed. Adding a second lamp could double the exposure time. It is important to ensure that the bond line is the right distance from the lamp. Some lamps may require to be placed closer to the bond line while some lamps have focal points.
Some of the important factors to consider when purchasing an epoxy curing oven include:
• The internal space and capacity and the actual space consumed when the oven is mounted on the floor or bench
• The heating capacity of the oven
• The quality of components such as heating coils, insulation, switches and more.
Increasing the curing speed of adhesives can help companies save the cost of installing new production lines or running additional shifts to meet the demand for production.
