Epoxy Resin Market Analysis and Applications in Five Major Fields

The epoxy resin industry is one of the earliest industrial sectors to benefit from global industrialization.

 

  With rapid economic growth in China, demand for epoxy resin has surged. In recent years, the country has introduced advanced foreign production technologies and processing equipment, facilitating rapid industry growth. Today, China stands as one of the world's largest producers and consumers of epoxy resin.

 

  As of 2021, China's epoxy resin production capacity reached approximately 2.49 million tons per year, a 7.6% increase year-on-year, with output around 1.94 million tons, marking an 11.2% growth. The industry's overall operating rate has risen to 77.9%, the highest in nearly a decade. Clearly, epoxy resin applications across various sectors of the chemical industry are steadily increasing.

 

Given its substantial market demand, what exactly is epoxy resin and where is it applied?

  Epoxy resin materials are traditionally used as epoxy active diluents and continue to dominate this field due to their excellent physical, mechanical, and electrical insulation properties, adhesion to various materials, and flexible processing methods. Consequently, they are used extensively in coatings, composite materials, casting materials, adhesives, molding materials, and injection molding materials across various sectors of the national economy.

 

1. Coatings Applications

  Epoxy resin plays a significant role in coatings, forming a variety of distinctive and specialized products. Common characteristics include:

- Excellent chemical resistance, especially alkaline resistance.

- Strong film adhesion, particularly on metals.

- Good heat and electrical insulation properties.

- Excellent color retention.

 

  However, Bisphenol A type epoxy resin coatings exhibit poor weather resistance, prone to chalking and loss of gloss outdoors, making them unsuitable for decorative and high-decorative outdoor coatings. Therefore, epoxy resin coatings are primarily used as anticorrosive paints, metal primers, and insulating paints, though coatings made from cycloaliphatic and fatty epoxy resins can be used outdoors.

 

2. Adhesives Applications

  Epoxy resin demonstrates excellent bonding capabilities with various materials such as metals (aluminum, steel, iron, copper), non-metal materials (glass, wood, concrete), and thermosetting plastics (phenolic, amino, unsaturated polyester), except for polyolefins and other non-polar plastics, earning it the moniker of "universal adhesive." Epoxy adhesives are crucial in structural bonding applications.

 

The main uses of epoxy resin adhesives：

Application	Bonded materials	Main feature	Main application
civil construction	concrete, wood, metal, glass, thermoset Plastic	Low viscosity, curing on wet surfaces (or in water), low temperature curing Properties	Concrete repair (joining of old and new surfaces), repair of cracks in external walls, bonding of panels, connection of sewer pipes, bonding of floors, reinforcement of building structures.
electrical and electronic equipment	Metal, porcelain, glass, FRP, and other potential solids. Potentially solid plastics	Electrical insulation, humidity resistance, thermal shock resistance, heat resistance, low Corrosivity	Electronic Components, Integrated Circuits, LCDs, CD-ROMs, Speakers, Magnetic Heads, Iron Cores, Battery Cases, Parabolic Antennae Printed Circuit Board
aerospace	Metal, thermoset plastic, FP (fiber reinforced plastic)	Resistant to heat, impact, humidity, fatigue and radiation rays	Bonding of homogeneous and heterogeneous metals, bonding of honeycomb cores and metals, composite materials, distribution panels Bonding
vehicle mechanics	Metal, Thermoset Plastic, FRP	Moisture resistance, Rust prevention, Oil adhesion, Wear durability (fatigue properties)	Body bonding, thin steel plate strengthening, FRP bonding, repair and installation of mechanical structures
sporting goods	Metal, Wood, Glass, Thermoset Plastic, FRP	Durability, impact resistance	Skis, golf clubs, tennis rackets
other	Metal, Glass, Ceramic	Low toxicity, no yellowing	Artifact repair, home use

 

3.Electronic and electrical materials

  Due to the many unique advantages of epoxy resin such as high insulating property, high structural strength and good sealing performance, it has been widely used in the insulation and encapsulation of high and low voltage electrical appliances, motors and electronic components, and is developing rapidly. Mainly used for:

  (1) Pouring of electrical appliances, motor insulation and encapsulation parts. Such as solenoids, contactor coils, mutual inductors, dry-type transformers and other high and low voltage electrical appliances, such as the manufacture of the whole fully sealed insulation package. In the electrical appliances industry has been rapid development. From atmospheric pressure casting, vacuum casting has developed to automatic pressure gel molding.

 

The main uses of epoxy adhesives in civil engineering construction

Type of works	Bonding Objects	Typical use	Major component
Infrastructure	Rock-rock	Reinforcement of loose rock strata, foundation reinforcement, pre-embedded bolts and footings, etc., columns, pile heads, joints, cantilever beam thickening, bridge reinforcement pavement facility laying	Epoxy-diluent-modified amine
	Metal-stone or concrete		Epoxy-filler-modified amine
	Meta-concrete		Bisphenol S epoxy monoglycidylamine resin and butyl rubber with modified amine
	Metal-metal
ground	Porcelain, granite- concrete	Sticky structure and hooking in the manufacture of corrosion-resistant flooring; anti-slip and landscaping of floors, purification; flooring of floors	Epoxy-filler modified amine
	Metal-concrete		Epoxy-polysulfide rubber-modified amine
	Sand and gravel -Concrete		Acrylate-epoxy copolymerization emulsion
	PVC-Rubber-Metal
repairs	Concrete, reinforcing steel, mortar	Repair of cracks, defects and shells in dams, gates and buildings, and bonding of old and new cement.	Epoxy-alcohol-sexamine
			Epoxy-pitch-modified amine
			Epoxy-activated lime-modified amine
semi-circular	Metal, glass, marble, tile plexiglass, polycarbonate	Installation and decoration of walls, facades, signs and billboards	Epoxy-polyhydrogen ester
			Epoxy-silicone rubber
supply and drainage	Metal, concrete	Pipe and drain lining, pipe joint sealing	Epoxy-modified aromatic amines

 

Main uses of epoxy adhesives in automobiles

Application	Materials to be bonded	Bonding area	Typical Composition
Rolled edges, spot welding	Steel sheet - steel plate	Hoods, doors, luggage compartment bottoms	One-component, epoxy-polychloro ester
Reinforcement	Steel plate - FRP	Door center	Epoxy-trimethyl metaborate
	Steel plate-foam	Door handle	Epoxy-polyamide
Structural Bonding	Carbon, fiberglass, steel, pig iron	Drive shafts, brake pads	One-component epoxy primer
Bonding and sealing	FRP-painted steel sheet	Roof-window frames	Epoxy-polysulfide rubber
Decorative bonding	Polyacrylate-Polypropylene	Rear Back Light Holder	Modified Epoxy Resin

  (2) It is widely used for potting insulation of devices equipped with electronic components and circuits. It has become an important and indispensable insulating material for the electronic industry.

  (3) Electronic grade epoxy molding compound is used for plastic sealing of semiconductor components. In recent years, the development is very fast. Because of its superior performance, there is a trend to replace the traditional metal, ceramic and glass packaging.

  (4) Epoxy laminated plastics are widely used in the field of electronics and electrical appliances. Among them, the development of epoxy laminate is especially rapid, and it has become one of the basic materials in the electronic industry.

  In addition, epoxy insulating coatings, insulating adhesives and electrical adhesives are also used in a large number of applications.

 

4. Engineering Plastics and Composite Materials

  Epoxy engineering plastics encompass epoxy molding compounds for high-pressure molding, epoxy laminates, and epoxy foam plastics. They serve as a broad category of epoxy composite materials, including epoxy fiberglass (general composite materials) and structural epoxy composites such as extruded epoxy profiles, wound hollow rotors, and high-performance composites. Epoxy composites are crucial structural and functional materials in high-tech sectors such as chemical, aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.

 

5. Civil Construction Materials

  Primarily used in corrosion-resistant flooring, epoxy mortar and concrete products, advanced road surfaces and airport runways, rapid repair materials, grouting materials for reinforcing base foundations, construction adhesives, and coatings.

 

  In addition, epoxy insulation coatings, adhesive sealants, and electric adhesives find extensive applications.

 

  Epoxy resin continues to evolve as a versatile material across these five major fields, driven by its unique properties and adaptability to various industrial needs.