Epoxies - Alfa International’s epoxies’ strength, versatility, and excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces have gained wide acceptance among diverse users. Alfa epoxies are used to bond metals, glass, ceramics, many plastics, wood, concrete, and other surfaces. The popularity of Alfa epoxies is a result of the following important characteristics:

1. Adhesion: because of Alfa epoxies’ formulation (the epoxide, hydroxyl, amine, and other polar groups) they have high specific adhesion to metals, glass, and ceramics. They were formulated to give mixes of different viscosities, with improved wetting, spreading, penetrating action, and provides good affinity between metals and plastics.

2. Cohesion: when Alfa epoxy is properly cured, the cohesive strength with the bond line and adhesion to other materials are so great, resulting in failure under stress in one of the adherents rather than in the epoxy or at the interface. This happens with glass and aluminum as well as with weaker adherents such as concrete or wood.

3. 100% Solids: Alfa epoxies cure without releasing water or other condensation by-products. This makes it possible to bond Alfa epoxies at any contact pressures, or with no pressure at all. Since there is no water to remove and no volatile solvent, Alfa epoxies are convenient for the assembly line bonding of impervious surfaces such as metals and glass.

4. Low shrinkage: Alfa epoxies cure with low shrinkage, consequently less strain is built into the bond line, and the bond is stronger. Also Alfa epoxies do not pull away from glass fibers.

5. Low creep: Alfa cured epoxies maintain their shape under prolonged stress more effectively than thermoplastics.

6. Resistance to moisture and solvents: Alfa epoxies are insensitive to moisture. Their resistance to solvents is also outstanding and accounts for their rapid advance in coating fields. They are effective barriers to heat and electrical currents.

7. Can be modified: Alfa epoxies properties’ can be modified to meet different application requirements.

8. Can be cured at ambient temperatures: Alfa epoxies cure within a wide range of time (from 5 minutes to 6 hours at room temperature or lower temperatures).

9. Resistance to wide temperature range: Alfa epoxies are formulated for use in cryogenic applications or for continuous service in high temperature environments (in excess of 500F).

10. Shelf life: Alfa epoxy has a shelf life of one year (minimum).

*** Further information on specific E40 systems is available by going to our website’s Product List or our Application Notes page From there, you can download product technical information sheets and application notes.