Overviews on the Chemistry and Applications of Epoxy Resins as Restorative or Structural Adhesives
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 27
Special Issue Editor
Interests: chemistry of novel epoxy molecules and hardeners used in cross-linked dhesives for cultural conservation and glass restoration; polymerization kinetics and DC% calculations on macromolecules’ reactions for epoxy curing via instrumental techniques; physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, colorimetric properties and spectroscopic characterization of cured materials; influence of filling materials on the mechanical properties of polymer composites; evaluation of their degradation process
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The contribution of epoxy resins to the technological evolution of polymeric materials is so profound that it is difficult to enumerate all their applications and uses in daily life or specialized fields. It is incontestable that adhesives, composites, primers, sealants, or coatings based on epoxy resins find great response in a vast range of applications. Particularly, sectors such as materials restoration/conservation, engineering, manufacturing, and electronics would not have enjoyed the same level of development without epoxy resins.
The chemistry of epoxies is rich in reaction possibilities, providing researchers with the opportunity to alter the structure of the final macromolecules and, consequently, the properties of the three-dimensional network formed. The initial step-growth polymerization occurs between the epoxy oligomer and the crosslinking agent. Further curing can be performed either by heat transfer, by UV-irradiation, or in ambient conditions in the presence of the appropriate curing agent (hardener). In all cases, the crosslinking agent determines the rate of polymerization, the density of crosslinks, and the strength of the final network.
The thermal tolerance, mechanical endurance, and resistance to chemical reagents of epoxy resins are renowned. That is why investigations into the ageing of set resins in environments of accelerated degradation (in the presence of light, solvents, and temperature) are very appealing. The characteristic “yellowing” of epoxies may occur under these conditions, indicating the potential for future reluctance of these materials in long-term exposure.
Briefly, the above indicates the value of epoxy resins as commercial products and research objects, certainly, but also the wealth of knowledge we can gain by studying their properties, potential, and correspondence towards any kind of deformation. I invite field scientists, peers, and practitioners to join us as participants in the knowledge generated by contributing their work to the current Special Issue of the journal “Polymers”.
Dr. Evangelia Vouvoudi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- epoxy ring
- coatings
- surface conservation
- glass restoration
- reinforced composites
- crosslinked polymers
- UV-polymerization
- thermosetting
- condensation polymerization
- tertiary amines
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