Epoxy resin: Synthesis, Modification and Application

Epoxy resins are organic polymer compounds containing two or more epoxy groups and the epoxy groups can be located at the end or middle of the molecular chain or in a ring structure. Due to the presence of these epoxy groups, the epoxy can be cured and cross-linked with various types of curing agents and can form insoluble, non-melting polymers with a three-dimensional network structure. Epoxy resins are a type of thermosetting resin with numerous applications; in addition to their use as adhesives, epoxy resins can also be used as coatings, melting plastics, casting plastics and fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite materials and are widely used in the mechanical, electronic, chemical, aerospace, automotive and construction sectors.

Zhanjun Wu is a professor at the school of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Dalian University of Technology, China. He earned his Ph.D Degree in Engineering Mechanics at Harbin Institute of Technology in 2001. His main research interests include Advanced Composites, Aerospace Structures and Structural Health Monitoring.