Epoxy Resins and Compounds Terminology

Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) is a process for forming products such as automotive panels, turbine housings, and anything requiring a high strength to weight ratio. The process is similar to injection molding, but uses thermosetting polymers which require a curing reaction within the mold. The mixture is injected into a mold under high pressure with an impinging mixer, then allowed to remain in the mold long enough to expand and cure.

Refractive Index

The refractive index (or index of refraction) of a medium is a measure for how much the speed of light (or other waves such as sound waves) is reduced inside the medium. For example, typical glass has a refractive index of 1.5, which means that light travels at 1 / 1.5 = 0.67 times the speed in air or vacuum. Two common properties of glass and other transparent materials are directly related to their refractive index. First, light rays change direction when they cross the interface from air to the material, an effect that is used in lenses and glasses. Second, light reflects partially from surfaces that have a refractive index different from that of their surroundings.

Resin

Resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers.

Rigid

Not able to be forced out of shape without breaking; not flexible.

SDS

A SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is an informational sheet which provides the procedures for handling and working with an Epic Resins’ material in a safe manner. An Epic Resins’ SDS provides information of physical data, storing and handling instructions, and emergency procedures to ensure maximum safety and understanding of the material.

Shear Strength

Shear strength is the ability of a material to resist forces that can cause the internal structure of the material to slide against itself. Adhesives tend to have high shear strength. Shear strength is measured in a torsion test and is measured in pounds per square inch, based on the area of the sheared edge. The shear strength of a structural adhesive is the maximum shear stress in the adhesive before failing under torsional loading.

Silicone

Synthetic materials which are polymers with a chemical structure based on chains of alternate silicon and oxygen atoms.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength measures the stress required to break a material per square area while stretching.

Epic uses test method ASTM D638 or D412.

Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity is the rate at which heat transfers through a material.

Epic uses a C-Therm test unit for measuring thermal conductivity.

Thermal Cycling

Thermal cycling is essentially a stress test where a material is cycled from very low temperatures to very high temperatures to test its resilience to thermal expansion and/or expose other structural weaknesses.

Thermal Management

The means of monitoring and controlling the temperatures produced by devices in electrical enclosures.

Thermal Runaway Propagation

A phenomenon, especially in battery packs, where a single battery cell entering thermal runaway (releasing large quantities of heat) heats up neighboring cells, causing those neighboring cells to also enter thermal runaway, starting a chain reaction of overheating.

Thermal Shock

The rapid cooling or heating of an object (typically at a defined rate of 10°C/min.) via the immediate transfer from one temperature to another.

Thixotropic Index

Thixotrope is a fluid where the viscosity is dependent on shear rate and shear history, an additive that imparts such behavior.

Epic uses test method ASTM D2196.

UL Certified

Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certifies products, facilities, processes, and systems based on industry-wide laboratory standards. They are one of the oldest and most widely trusted safety certification companies.

Urethane

A urethane is the solid that forms when a multifunctional hydroxyl containing compound (polyol) chemically reacts with a multifunctional isocyanate containing compound. The resulting solid would be a urethane or polyurethane.

Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of the flow of a liquid material. It measures the amount of force required to deform (strain) a liquid a given distance.

Viscosity is commonly perceived as "thickness", or resistance to flow. Thus, water is "thin", having a lower viscosity, while molasses is "thick" having a higher viscosity. The study of viscosity is known as rheology.

Epic uses test methods ASTM D2196 and D4287.

Volume Resistivity

Volume resistivity is the electrical resistance to current flow inherent in a unit volume of a material. It is typically reported in Ohm-cm as it is the resistance over a given area of material divided by its thickness.

Epic uses test method ASTM D257.

Epoxy Resins and Compounds Terminology

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