Building, restoration and repairs using epoxy – how does it work?

In the last few years, epoxy resins became one of the most universal, go-to materials for fixing anything from wood to steel. As chemical mixtures with high strength and great adhesive properties, they’re great for building, restoration and repairs regardless of the scale of the repair, which means they can be used as a quick fix that actually provides quality back to the broken material. Taking pipelines as an example, epoxy can easily help cover holes and small cracks that not only make it unusable, but weaken the structure around the crack making it even worse. But how does epoxy actually work and how it can be used industrially?

Epoxy putty – an industrial-grade quick-fix solution

An epoxy putty, usually found in form of a stick with epoxy covered in a special tube of hardener is what companies dealing with industrial servicing use to fix any damages that might have occurred due to environmental factors like water, heat or chemicals. At touch, epoxy might resemble kids’ plasticine mixed with clay, but actually it’s much more like a heavy-duty glue that sticks to anything, creating a solid bond and filling cracks to perfection. It can be used to patch, rebuild and repair any steel and metal elements and when molded into any shape, epoxy creates a steel reinforced non rusting putty that won’t allow more leaks from the damaged surface.

Steel epoxy is used by many world-renowned companies like DAAS Group, that specialise in pipeline works, both in preparation, inspection and fixes. Epoxy might seem like a simple idea, but its’ industrial strength, easy-to-use approach and solid finish makes for a very strong, durable material that makes repairs quick and long-lasting.

How does epoxy work – fixing steel structures

Epoxy is basically a two-part adhesive + bonding agent that when mixed together, creates a pliable material that sets over about five minutes. The proportions are usually pre-prepared in the stick and the only thing that needs to be done is mixing the two parts until they create a consistent colour putty that then should be placed in the spot that needs to be fixed or rebuilt. Epoxy hardens over time, so that if working fast, it can create any shape and stay in it once it sets.

Steel epoxy putty may be one of the simplest things in the world to use. Cut off a piece of the steel epoxy putty. Knead the two components together until you get a consistent color and place at the break, repairing or restoring as needed. Let it sit for five minutes, after which it should be set.