Category Archive: Epoxy Coatings & Joint Filler
An abrasion-resistant coating safeguards components and surfaces from wear caused by abrasive environments. Various applications depend on abrasion-resistant coatings, including mission-critical aerospace equipment, road vehicles, and heavy manufacturing machinery. Here, we will highlight the specific applications of abrasion-resistant coatings and their various advantages.
Applications of Abrasion-Resistant Coatings
Abrasion-resistant coatings are applied in various applications to prevent wear and tear. Common applications include:
Manufacturing and Industrial Equipment
Industrial machines and equipment are subject to friction and abrasive materials that can cause continuous wear. Abrasion-resistant coatings can be applied to polymer, concrete, and metal surfaces to protect them from abrasion caused by impact, sliding contact, and moving parts. This will help to extend the lifespan of equipment while ensuring smooth operation. Specific machinery and equipment that benefit from abrasion-resistant coatings include:
- Pump components
- Chutes and hoppers
- Agitators and mixers
- Rollers, gears, and bearings
- Conveyor belts and pulleys
Automotive and Transportation
Vehicles and transportation systems are continuously exposed to sources of abrasion, including road debris, car washes, and harsh environmental conditions. With adequate protection, these elements can lead to paint scratches and other types of surface damage. By applying an abrasion-resistant coating, you add an extra layer of protection to preserve the appearance and value of the vehicle. Automotive applications for abrasion-resistant coatings include:
- Railway carriages
- Off-road vehicle components
- Aircraft landing gear
- Truck bed liners
- Automotive body panels
- Cargo holds
Construction and Infrastructure
Infrastructure such as highways, parking garages, and bridges, are subject to wear from environmental factors, mechanical stress, heavy foot traffic, and chemical exposure. Abrasion-resistant coatings serve as a protective barrier to prevent cracks, erosion, and surface degradation in concrete surfaces and prolong their lifespan. Common applications include:
- Concrete floors and road surfaces
- Pipeline coatings
- Tunnels and underground structures
- Bridge decks and expansion joints
- Stadium seating and walkways
Tools and Protective Equipment
Tools, protective clothing, helmets, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) often incorporate abrasion-resistant coatings to improve protection and equipment lifespan. Specific applications include:
- Helmets and headgear
- Gloves and hand protection
- Power tool components
- Cutting blades and drill bits
- Work boots and footwear
Recreation and Sporting Goods
Abrasion-resistant coatings offer numerous advantages to recreation equipment and sporting goods that are regularly exposed to impact, weathering, and other abrasive forces. These coatings can be applied to:
- Outdoor gear
- Gloves
- Footwear
- Padding
- Helmets
Oil and Gas
Equipment and components used throughout the oil and gas industry are subject to constant exposure to chemicals, abrasive materials, and harsh environmental conditions. Abrasion-resistant coatings can protect against wear and corrosion to ensure the longevity and integrity of:
- Pipes and pipelines
- Offshore platforms and rigs
- Boat decks and pontoons
- Ship hulls and marine vessels
Mining and Quarrying
Equipment and machinery used in the mining industry are regularly subjected to abrasive environments. By applying an abrasion-resistant coating, you can protect these components from wear to increase the longevity and efficiency of the equipment while minimizing downtime. These coatings can be applied to the following types of mining and quarrying equipment:
- Crushers
- Mills
- Screens
- Mining machinery
Benefits of Applying Abrasion Resistant Coating in Specific Applications
Abrasion-resistant coatings offer several benefits, including:
- Enhanced Durability and Longevity. Abrasion-resistant coatings offer valuable shielding from wear, scuffs, and scratches, improving the durability of components and surfaces. The added durability protects equipment integrity and reduces the risk of premature failure, decreasing downtime and increasing longevity.
- Improved Performance and Efficiency. Abrasion-resistant coatings can reduce downtime and maintenance costs by decreasing the need for equipment repairs. They can also minimize friction, which enhances energy efficiency, optimizes performance, and ensures smooth operation.
- Increased Safety and Reliability. Abrasion-resistant coatings protect the surface of equipment and structures to improve reliability and safety.
- Cost Savings and Return on Investment (ROI). Investing in abrasion-resistant coatings can result in significant cost savings over the long haul. By extending equipment lifespan and reducing the need for replacements or repairs, these coatings save both time and money.
Abrasion Resistant Coatings From Copps Industries
Industries in abrasive environments depend on abrasion-resistant coatings to enhance the durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of machinery, structures, and components. From automotive and construction to mining and manufacturing, these coatings play a critical role in extending equipment lifespan and optimizing performance.
At Copps Industries, we offer best-in-class abrasion-resistant coating solutions to meet even the most demanding challenges. Our products are designed to help your components reach their full lifespan and deliver the best possible performance. For more information about our abrasion-resistant coatings, request a quote or contact us today.
Epoxy-based coatings have been an economical choice for facility owners and designers. As a versatile coating solution, epoxies provide an aesthetic appeal, durability, chemical resistance, and surface protection from corrosion for many applications. While epoxies can be an ideal solution for surface coating, they are prone to breaking down due to exposure to light, especially ultraviolet (UV) light.
Copps Industries has been delivering epoxy resin solutions since 1979. We serve a variety of industries and applications with solutions for complex and demanding applications and harsh environments. Our custom formulations, depth of experience, and extensive portfolio allow us to deliver solutions that meet your expectations. This blog will answer the question, “Is epoxy UV resistant?” We will explore methods to protect epoxies from UV light and the benefits of using epoxies to help you determine if UV-resistant epoxy is ideal for your application.
How Does UV Light Affect Cured Epoxy?
When epoxy resin is exposed to UV light, it undergoes a process called photodegradation. The energy from the UV radiation breaks down the cured epoxy, which causes it to become weaker, discolored, and brittle.
One of the primary effects of UV exposure on cured epoxy is a reduction in its clarity and glossiness. Over time, the epoxy may start to appear cloudy, hazy, or yellowed. This is often called “ambering,” and it can be particularly noticeable on light-colored or transparent surfaces.
In addition to reducing the visual appeal of epoxy, UV exposure can also weaken its physical properties. The cured epoxy may become chalky or powdery, indicating that it has lost some of its strength. This can make it more prone to cracking, peeling, or flaking, especially if it is subjected to mechanical stress or environmental factors like moisture and temperature changes.
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause irreversible damage to cured epoxy, leading to structural failure and other issues. To prevent this, it’s important to take steps to protect epoxy surfaces from UV light, such as using a UV-resistant topcoat or keeping the epoxy out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
How Can Epoxy Be Made UV Resistant?
As epoxies are not naturally UV resistant, manufacturers commonly add UV-absorbing additives to the epoxy formulation. These additives work by absorbing the UV radiation before it can penetrate and degrade the epoxy resin and hardener. By incorporating these additives, epoxy can withstand exposure to UV light for longer periods without showing significant degradation.
Another way to protect epoxy surfaces from UV damage is to use a UV-stable topcoat. This coating can be applied over the cured epoxy to act as a barrier between the epoxy and the UV radiation. The topcoat should be designed specifically for use with epoxy and should be rated for outdoor use if the surface will be exposed to direct sunlight.
The duration of UV protection for epoxy depends on the type and quality of the UV-resistant coating used, and factors such as UV exposure, climate, and coating quality can further affect the duration of protection. Regularly applying maintenance coats of UV-resistant varnish is important, with the frequency depending on the level of UV exposure and coating quality. Reapplication every one to three years, or as needed, is recommended for optimal protection.
In addition to using a UV-resistant coating or adding UV-absorbing additives to the epoxy formulation, there are other ways to protect epoxy surfaces from UV damage. For example, keeping the epoxy out of direct sunlight and using shading devices, such as awnings or umbrellas, can significantly reduce UV exposure. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the surface can also help to prolong its lifespan and protect it from UV damage.
Protecting epoxy from UV damage is essential to ensure its longevity and maintain its appearance. By choosing a UV-resistant coating or adding UV-absorbing additives to the epoxy formulation, and taking appropriate measures to minimize UV exposure, it is possible to protect epoxy surfaces from UV damage and extend their lifespan.
Advantages of Using Epoxy
While traditional epoxy is not UV resistant on its own, epoxy resins provide the following advantages:
- Durable: Epoxy resins offer good stability and durability, offering weather and chemical resistance.
- Easy to Apply: Epoxy resins can be applied quickly using a relatively simple process.
- Gap Filling: Epoxies can fill surface gaps to provide a smooth finish.
- High Strength: Epoxy resins provide a fast and strong adhesive bond to various surfaces and deliver long-term resilience and hardness.
- Versatile: Epoxy resins can be used in almost any surface coating application and can be a substitute for various other materials.
- Shrink Resistant: Epoxies are not prone to shrinkage and will not become loose once they settle properly with less than a 1% probability of shrinkage.
- Thermosetting: Once fully cured, epoxy resins will maintain their solid state and remain unaffected by high temperatures, without any melting or softening.
- Underwater: Epoxy resins are waterproof and can be used for underwater construction.
Countertop & Crafting Epoxy Resin From Copps
Epoxy resins are a preferred surface coating material for residential and commercial applications. They offer a variety of benefits, including strength, resistance to water and high temperatures, and extreme versatility. Traditional epoxies can degrade under prolonged UV light exposure and require additives or coatings to inhibit permanent photodegradation from UV light.
Copps UV-resistant countertop and crafting epoxy is easy to use and ideal for every user, from beginners to advanced artisans. Our UV-resistant craft epoxy comes in a simple, two-part system. Its self-leveling properties make it easy for users to get a perfect finish the first time. It hardens to a glass-like, crystal-clear finish to deliver lasting beauty to any countertop or crafting project. Copps has a variety of new epoxy systems with UV protection for every application. Contact us or request a quote for your UV-resistant epoxy solution.
Epoxy coatings are used to create attractive flooring that is highly durable and can stand up to high levels of impact and abrasion. They are produced using a combination of polymer resins and hardeners to result in a chemical bond with the concrete. There are many types of epoxy coatings, including a wide array of colors and decorative options, and they can frequently be combined with other resinous commercial floor coatings.
Floors in industrial environments typically experience heavy loads and significant wear, making it essential that they are made to be as durable as possible. With the many types of industrial floor coatings available, understanding which type is the best choice for your facility can be challenging. This blog post will discuss epoxy concrete coatings and joint fillers and their most suitable applications.
Epoxy Concrete Coating
The right epoxy flooring benefits industrial spaces in several ways. It reduces time spent on repairs and cleaning and facilitates a more effective workspace. Some further benefits of epoxy concrete flooring include:
- Enhanced durability: Epoxy coatings stand up to heavy traffic much better than floor paint.
- Easy to clean: Resistant to spill stains, floors coated in epoxy are easily kept looking new and clean.
- Versatility: Can be used in both residential and commercial environments.
- Visually appealing: Vibrant, unique designs can be created and customized.
- Quick installation: Little downtime is required due to installation ease and quick drying time.
In comparison to traditional floor paint, epoxy concrete coatings are over ten times greater in thickness and only require 24 hours to dry completely. The thickness of these coatings adds to their durability and enables them to easily smooth over cracks and indentations. Epoxy can be used to repair most concrete floor issues, but it’s always best to fix any chips or cracks with high-quality concrete as soon as they are noticed.
Epoxy flooring delivers not only a polished and neat appearance but also may provide additional safety for workers due to its slip and skid resistance depending on the surface texture chosen. In many situations, the right type of industrial epoxy floor coating can prevent accidents from happening and reduce certain safety concerns.
Joint Fillers
Industrial settings can incur a lot of wear on floors, making it common for cracks or chips to occur. When these situations happen, it is essential that they are quickly repaired using high-quality, reliable products. Doing so can not only prolong the life of your floors, but also ensure a safe working environment.
Control joints cut in concrete are designed to control the normal cracking of concrete as it cures. Joint fillers can be used to repair minor issues and prevent them from worsening. Using a joint filler made from epoxy or polyurea supports joint edges and prevents their deterioration as well as concrete spalling. Copps Industries manufactures several varieties of joint fillers that meet the needs of diverse industries. Our products are designed to fill these control joints and protect the joint from deterioration.
Copps Industries has a variety of joint filler products for different environments. They include:
- FlexFill 60 Joint Filler (K-057):Highly durable, this joint filler is designed for saw-cut control and contraction joints. It bonds well with most construction materials.
- FlexFill 80 Joint Filler (K-554):This two-component, rapid-setting solution prevents water penetration and prevents contamination. It is designed to prevent edge deterioration and support joint edges.
- FlexFill 90 Joint Filler (K-560): Designed to reduce joint filler sinks, saving time and money, this product bonds tightly to concrete joints. It prevents the penetration of contaminants and water.
Industries: Epoxy Coatings & Joint Fillers
At Copps Industries, we understand the needs of diverse industrial environments. Businesses vary in their working environments and the specific conditions their floors are exposed to; for that reason, we’ve designed a product line that addresses these varied needs. Our products restore floors back to safe conditions in a variety of settings, such as:
- Chemical processing
- Food and beverages
- Power generation
- Pulp and paper
- Tool and die
No matter what demands are placed on your flooring, our products will extend their lifespan and provide added safety for your working environment.
Industrial Flooring Protection and Repair Solutions from Copps Industries
Flooring in industrial environments needs to withstand heavy loads and other challenges such as chemicals and abrasions. In these situations, it’s important for worker safety that cracks and imperfections are quickly repaired. Epoxy concrete coatings and joint fillers are high-performing solutions ideally suited to these applications.
For over 40 years, Copps Industries has been a trusted formulator of epoxy resins. Our extensive selection of industrial concrete floor coatings and overlays meet the needs of even the most challenging flooring environments. To learn more about our products, contact us. When you’re ready to have our experts create a personalized solution for your floors, request a quote.
