Revolution in materials technology
A South Korean research team has developed a high-performance one-component epoxy resin that sets new standards in terms of heat resistance, flame retardancy and mechanical stability. Thanks to an innovative latent hardener and the nanomaterial MXene, the new development offers outstanding storage stability and a wide range of industrial applications.
Epoxy resins are indispensable for numerous industrial applications, from adhesives to coatings and composites. While conventional two-component epoxy resins require precise mixing and fast processing, one-component epoxy resins offer simplified handling and consistent quality.
However, previous solutions had weaknesses. They could often only be stored at low temperatures and had insufficient flame-retardant properties. This limited their potential applications in safety-critical areas such as the construction, electronics and telecommunications industries.
Breakthrough from Korea
A research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration with Sungkyunkwan University has overcome these hurdles. Under the leadership of Dr Jaewoo Kim and Professor Chongmin Koo, they developed the “Epoxy/MXene One-Component Solution”, a combination of epoxy resin, a new type of latent hardener and the two-dimensional nanomaterial MXene.
This innovation enables a storage stability of over 180 days at 60 °C, a significant advance compared to previous products, which lose their properties within 40 days at room temperature of 25 °C.
MXene as the key to stability and safety
MXene, a state-of-the-art nanomaterial, not only improves the thermal and mechanical resistance, but also makes a decisive contribution to the flame retardancy (V0 class) and electrical conductivity of the new epoxy resin. This opens up a wide range of applications in the high-performance industry, particularly for electromagnetic shielding materials, industrial coatings and adhesives.
Industrial applications and future potential
The combination of extended durability, improved safety features and easy handling makes the new 1-component epoxy resin particularly attractive for industries with high demands on material stability and fire protection.
Possible areas of application
- Electronics: Protective coatings for components and printed circuit boards
- Construction industry: flame-retardant adhesives for safety applications
- Telecommunications: high-performance materials for antennas and shielding housings
With this innovation, the South Korean research team could have a lasting impact on materials technology and set new standards for single-component epoxy resins.