Archive: Jun 2024

The Top 3 Future Trends in Resistant Wear Coating

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At Copps Industries, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving industries we serve. Our commitment to innovation is driven by a desire to meet the needs of our customers in various sectors, from mining to manufacturing. 

Our expert chemists and engineers work hard to anticipate how changing conditions in various industries shape the future and how we can respond. Let’s dive in and take a look at the top three trends in resistant-wear materials right now.

Trend #1: Impact-Resistant Materials

Resistant wear coatings are designed to protect surfaces from severe mechanical stresses like blows, strikes, and collisions. These coatings are essential in industries where equipment and components meet harsh operational conditions. For example, the mining industry has traditionally focused on materials designed to resist sliding abrasion from elements like sand, rock, and slurry.

The demand for high-impact resistant-wear materials is rising. Coatings ranging from ceramic to polyurethane to epoxy all provide durability and absorb shocks effectively. The next generation of solutions will become even more versatile to mitigate wear and prolong equipment life. 

At Copps, we’re actively developing a new generation of high-impact-resistant materials. As customer needs for these types of materials emerge, we’ll be positioned to respond with formulations in our product lineup.

Trend #2: High Temperature-Resistant Materials

The mining industry is experiencing a significant shift with the discovery of vast lithium reserves in northern Mexico. The extraction and processing of this valuable resource demand materials that can withstand exceptionally high temperatures. Existing solutions can handle temperatures up to 450°F, but with the unique requirements of lithium processing, even greater strength and durability will be needed.

Copps Industries is braced for the challenge, actively researching and developing materials designed to perform under these extreme conditions. Our team of experienced chemists played a pivotal role in developing our existing high-temperature materials, and we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to accommodate increasing needs. The key lies in enhancing our epoxy binders, which form the backbone of these high-performance materials.

Trend #3: Speed in Low-Temperature Environments

Efficiency is critical across every industry, and that means the speed with which materials cure and set is a top concern for many. Most materials today do best in ambient temperatures ranging from 60˚F to 120˚F. In colder climates, these materials might not perform optimally. 

In regions like South America, with higher elevations and where temperatures can drop to 40°F, there’s a pressing need for materials that cure quickly. Customers in this region have told us most of the solutions in the marketplace today simply aren’t satisfactory under their working conditions. Copps Industries is collaborating closely with them to develop innovative solutions that cure faster at low temperatures, reducing equipment downtime and increasing productivity.

Copps Industries: A Partner for Innovation

At Copps, we’re not just following trends; we are anticipating and shaping them. Our ongoing product development is a testament to our proactive approach. Our innovation in impact-resistant, high-temperature, and quick-setting materials at low temperatures is delivering top performance and advancing industry standards. 

Our promise to our customers is clear: Copps Industries is your partner in navigating the complex landscape of wear-resistant materials. We’re committed to equipping you with the best products to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. Contact us to learn more.

Breaking the Mold: Affordable Customization from Copps Industries

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In the search for industrial products, too many organizations settle for a low standard. You might browse a catalog and order what’s available, even though it has features and properties you don’t really need or requires processes that delay your production. The price is acceptable, and you trust it will arrive on time.

But there’s a better choice: a custom solution formulated specifically to optimize your success.

At Copps Industries, customization isn’t just an option; it’s our preferred path to help you harness precision, efficiency, and cost savings. Here, we’re diving into our approach to customizing unique formulations and addressing the most common objections we hear to demonstrate why a custom solution is crucial to your success. 

Understanding Customization

There’s a common misconception that custom solutions are more expensive and come with longer lead times than off-the-shelf products. And that’s often the case when you contract with other suppliers. Not at Copps Industries.

We’ve noticed that many customers aren’t aware that tailoring a solution to their specific needs is an option, let alone an affordable one. The usual instinct is to opt for standard products because they seem more accessible and can be fulfilled immediately. But what if the standard solution isn’t the perfect fit for your unique requirements?

Our Customization Process: Designed for You

At Copps Industries, our goal is to adapt our product to your process, not the other way around. We start by understanding what you want to achieve and examining what is and is not working with your current formulations. Then, we collaborate to create a formulation specifically designed to meet your needs—at no additional cost.

We don’t believe in charging more just because a solution is customized. We aim to understand your processes and develop an ideal formula for your processes while considering your cost targets.

Achieving Efficiency & Savings

Sometimes, concerns about availability and shipping delays come up in conversations about custom solutions. We’re transparent in addressing these questions head-on. If the necessary raw materials are available, your lead times remain unchanged. If your custom formulation requires unique raw materials, procuring them may extend the development phase. However, once development is complete, production and shipping will resume normal lead times without delays.

When considering costs, you might assume a custom solution comes with a high price tag. In cases where special materials are required, the initial cost may be higher. However, a tailor-made solution can result in significant savings in your manufacturing processes with increased throughput.

We have extensive experience developing products to create efficiency and reduce costs without compromising on quality or efficiency. One customer was using an aerospace-grade product primarily for its heat resistance despite having no need for many of its other properties. Working together, we developed a custom solution that focused on exactly what they needed and removed unnecessary properties. The resulting formulation met their specific needs, reduced their costs, and simplified their process—it eliminated the need for them to cure in specialized ovens, leading to huge operational savings.

Collaboration Over Compromise

We believe in collaboration over compromise. You tell us what you need to improve your process, and we work together to make it happen. This personalized process ensures a one-of-a-kind solution adapted to your needs.

Unlike many others in the industry, our threshold for customization is reasonable, meaning we can provide tailored solutions without the usual barriers, like extended lead times. Our capacity to develop and supply custom products quickly and efficiently is at the core of our approach.

The Virtual Copps’ Chemist is more than just a service—it’s a testament to our commitment to your success. As a catalyst for collaboration, the Virtual Chemist allows you to harness our expertise, secure top-quality products, and gain a partner dedicated to moving your business forward.

Go Beyond Standard Solutions with Copps Industries

Choosing a custom solution with Copps Industries means investing in your success at a cost comparable to, or even less than, standard options. Our formulations are designed to seamlessly integrate with and enhance your operations. We ensure you get exactly what you need without paying for what you don’t.

Why settle for the standard when you can optimize your output and secure your success with customization? We supply custom solutions on an everyday basis at Copps. Contact us today to learn more about Copps Industries and get started collaborating on a custom solution.

Epoxy Resins with Carbon Fiber: The Perfect Match!

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From high-speed race cars to cutting-edge aircraft, epoxy resin and carbon fiber are the secret ingredients powering innovation across industries. In applications where every ounce counts and resilience is non-negotiable, carbon fiber reinforced with epoxy resin is the go-to choice.

Let’s explore how this perfect match redefines what’s possible in strength and durability.

Epoxy Resins for Carbon Fiber

Composites are specialty materials made from a combination of fibers and resins. Epoxy resin is a thermoset polymer material that is heated and cured to chemically alter the material’s composition to create a permanently hardened substance. Epoxy resins can have glass transition temperatures above 400F˚, allowing them to retain their physical properties in high-temperature ranges. Once the liquid polymers in an epoxy resin solidify, the hardened piece becomes strong, resistant to chemical and thermal damage, and can withstand physical wear or impact.

Epoxy resin is advantageous due to its properties in its cured state. The material has the unique ability to fuse with carbon fibers to create an even stronger microstructure that showcases the advantages of both the epoxy and the fibers.

Carbon fibers are strong, lightweight, and fatigue-resistant fibers used to build composite materials. By combining carbon fibers with epoxies, manufacturers can create incredibly hard, durable materials that outperform both individual material types. Composites are a relatively new production material compared to materials like aluminum, iron, and steel, but there are many benefits to working with carbon fiber-strengthened composites that span a range of industries.

Carbon fibers resist fatigue, have low thermal expansion, and absorb or dampen vibrations. They are supplied in two forms that are suitable for creating composites. Carbon fiber tows are bundles of thousands of untwisted, continuous fibers that can be used directly in epoxies or converted into woven reinforcement materials like fabrics or tape.

Benefits of Epoxy Resins for Carbon Fiber

Epoxy resin and carbon fiber composites are uniquely strong and offer excellent performance in commercial and industrial applications. Some of the benefits of this material include:

  • Strength: Carbon fibers have high tensile strength but are prone to damage. Epoxy resins have low tensile strength, but their toughness and malleable properties protect the fibers from damage, creating an even stronger material.
  • Lightweight: The composite material has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, surpassing even aluminum and titanium. As a result, manufacturers can produce lightweight parts that can be used in more energy-efficient vehicles and assemblies.
  • Flexibility: Despite its strength and durability, the composite is simultaneously very flexible. This means the material can withstand strong impact forces by absorbing the force. It also won’t develop spider cracks under impact or when the material is bent.
  • No shrinkage: Epoxy resins won’t shrink after curing. This extends the lifespan of composite parts and components used in harsh environments.
  • UV resistance: The composite material can withstand exposure to sunlight. It’s 100% UV resistant, so it can be used in long-term outdoor applications without the risk of wear or degradation.
  • Aesthetics: Epoxy resin and carbon fiber composites are transparent, which makes them an excellent choice for visible components and consumer-facing products.

Applications of Epoxy Resins with Carbon Fiber

The versatility of epoxy resin and carbon fiber composites makes them useful in a wide variety of applications and industries. At Copps Industries, we formulate epoxy resins for composite materials used across the following applications:

  • Aerospace
  • Aircraft and avionics
  • Automotive component construction and assembly
  • Boats and marine applications
  • Consumer goods
  • Construction
  • Corrosion-resistant parts for industrial and manufacturing equipment
  • Military and defense—DoT-approved epoxy resin systems
  • Oil and gas processing
  • Sporting goods and recreational products
  • Transportation

Choose Epoxy Resins with Carbon Fiber From Copps Industries

Since 1979, Copps Industries has been a leading provider of high-performance epoxy resins for use in civil engineering, adhesives, manufacturing, and more. Our company is ISO 9011:2015-certified as part of our commitment to excellent product quality. We produce resins for use in a wide variety of composite materials. 

If you’re ready to elevate your projects with the strength and resilience of carbon fiber and epoxy resins, contact us today to request a quote and start your order.