Thiols have a characteristic odour, which could be detected in lots of two-element household adhesives. In basic, uncured epoxy resins have only poor mechanical, chemical and warmth resistance properties. However, good properties are obtained by reacting the linear epoxy resin with suitable curatives to type three-dimensional cross-linked thermoset structures. This course of is usually known as curing or gelation process. Curing of epoxy resins is an exothermic reaction and in some instances produces sufficient heat to trigger thermal degradation if not managed.

Allergic reaction typically happens at a time which is delayed a number of days from the publicity. Allergic response is usually seen within the form of dermatitis, notably in areas the place the exposure has been highest . Epoxy use is a primary supply of occupational bronchial asthma among customers of plastics. Bisphenol A, which is used to fabricate a common class of epoxy resins, is a recognized endocrine disruptor. Epoxies are bought in hardware stores, typically as a pack containing separate resin and hardener, which should be blended immediately earlier than use.

A associated class is cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, which incorporates a number of cycloaliphatic rings in the molecule (e.g. three,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,four-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate). This class also shows lower viscosity at room temperature, however provides significantly higher temperature resistance than the aliphatic epoxy diluents. However, reactivity is rather low compared to other classes of epoxy resin, and high temperature curing utilizing suitable accelerators is generally required.

By using vacuum impregnation on uncured epoxy, winding-to-winding, winding-to-core, and winding-to-insulator air voids are eliminated. The cured epoxy is an electrical insulator and a much better conductor of heat than air. Transformer and inductor sizzling spots are greatly lowered, giving the component a steady and longer life than unpotted product. Also often known as mercaptans, thiols contain a sulfur which reacts very readily with the epoxide group, even at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures.

They are often used throughout boat restore and assembly, after which over-coated with conventional or two-half polyurethane paint or marine-varnishes that present UV safety. Flexible epoxy resins are used for potting transformers and inductors.

They are additionally sold in boat shops as restore resins for marine applications. Epoxies typically usually are not used in the outer layer of a ship because they deteriorate by exposure to UV gentle.