Epoxy Resins from 1980 to Date. Part 1

Epoxy resins are essentially prepolymers that contain on an average two or more epoxide groups per molecule. The object of the present review article is to give up-to-date information regarding the reactions of these resins with various curing agents leading to crosslinked or thermoset resins with excellent strength, toughness, and chemical resistance. The end-use consumption of epoxy resins covers a broad range of applications such as adhesives, bonding, construction materials (flooring, paving, and aggregates), composites, laminates, coating, molding, and textile finishing. Recently these resins have penetrated into the aero- and spacecraft industry. It is expected that anybody engaged in industry or academic research will find enough material in this review to start work, and need not search the literature before 1990.