The epoxy resins most widely used in corrosion prevention are liquids of low molecular weight which can be converted to hard, tough, chemically resistant polymers by the use of various curing agents. Unlike other thermosetting resins such as polyesters, the curing agents may produce chemical linkages in the final polymers that differ from those present in the uncured form. Hence, the properties of cured epoxy resins are likely dependent upon, and may even reflect the properties of the curing agent used.
Some seven different epoxy resin systems were exposed to various chemical environments and evaluatd for changes in dimensional stability and flexural strengths over a six month period. From the data presented herein, only limited conclusions may be drawn. Heat cured systems fare better than room temperature cured systems in every case. Anhydride cured epoxy resins show greater resistance to outdoor weathering than amine cured systems. 5.4.5, 6.6.8
