Everwide newsletter No.477

Experiment § Improvement of Crystallization Issues in Solvent-Based Resins

During storage of epoxy resin products, crystallization of liquid resins is often observed. This not only affects appearance but also reduces usage stability (Fig. 1). The occurrence of crystallization is related to factors such as purity, chlorine content, molecular weight, and temperature, among which molecular structural symmetry is considered a key factor. In general, molecules with higher symmetry tend to pack more orderly and are therefore more prone to crystallization. In contrast, asymmetric molecular structures are less likely to form well-ordered crystalline lattices (Fig. 2). In this study, BPA (a symmetric molecule) combined with acetone was used as one system, while BPA combined with an asymmetric solvent was used as a control. Both samples were stored under low-temperature conditions for long-term observation. The results indicate that the molecular structure of the solvent significantly influences the crystallization behavior of the overall formulation (Fig. 3). Taking product 8416 as an example, it consists mainly of high-purity epoxy resin dispersed in acetone. Because both the resin and solvent exhibit relatively symmetric structures, the molecules are more likely to arrange in an ordered manner, leading to crystallization during long-term storage. To address this issue, our newly developed products in recent years introduce asymmetric molecular structures, which effectively delay crystallization while maintaining the original thermal resistance and processing conditions. This solution has already been successfully applied to resolve customer issues. For further information, please feel free to contact us.                               — Author: Mr. Chen Chih-Hsien

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Activity § Sharing of Corporate Implementation Experience

Since 2021, Everwide has actively promoted a variety of workplace-friendly initiatives. We have organized beach clean-ups, family cooking , exercise, and outdoor visits, all of which have received positive feedback from employees. Recently, the Ministry of Labor invited us to attend a “Work-Life Balance Promotion Seminar,” where we shared our practical results and experience with other companies, in the hope that more organizations can jointly create a harmonious workplace atmosphere. Through concrete actions, we aim to ensure that the concept of a friendly workplace is not just a slogan, but is truly integrated into the daily work and life of every employee.

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Knowledge § Can High-Tg Resins Fully Cure at Low Temperature?

In thermosetting plastics, Tg increases continuously with the degree of cure. At the initial stage, when the resin is still in a liquid state, the molecular weight is very low. As the reaction proceeds to the gel point, the resin appears soft, and the Tg at this stage is lower than the processing temperature. Unreacted functional groups can still diffuse rapidly within the resin, allowing the degree of reaction and Tg to continue increasing. As Tg approaches the processing temperature, the resin gradually becomes harder, and the diffusion of the remaining unreacted functional groups becomes increasingly restricted. When Tg exceeds the processing temperature by approximately 10–20°C, the resin becomes relatively rigid, making further reaction of unreacted functional groups very difficult. From this perspective, high-Tg formulations cannot fully react under low-temperature conditions, and low-temperature curing cannot produce a fully cured high-Tg material.

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Living § Reviewing R&D Exams and Daily Recovery

IAfter joining the R&D department, new staff are required to study a series of fundamental chemistry topics, including epoxy resins, hardeners, flame retardants, and toughening agents. After about six months at Everwide, I encountered the so-called “major exam.” Someone told me, “If you can’t finish studying, just take it next time.” That helped me relax a bit, and I no longer felt it was a do-or-die situation. However, rather than postponing the exam, I preferred to use this opportunity to review my learning progress. It is not easy to absorb a large amount of knowledge in a short time, so I adopted several study methods. For example, I used a tablet for note-taking while simultaneously recording time-lapse videos. This helped reduce distraction from my phone, and rewatching the videos later also gave me a sense of accomplishment. I also used page-flipping and the Pomodoro technique to manage my study rhythm, which made time progression more visible and reminded me to take regular breaks and stretch, otherwise back pain would set in easily. An online study room was another option—seeing others still working hard helped motivate me (when people are studying seriously, time feels like it keeps moving forward). When I felt tired, I would eat something sweet, scroll through content, or tidy my environment to reset my focus. I also enjoy interacting with my two cats at home—Hu Bao and Mei Ya. No special technique is needed; simply petting, holding, and being with them is enough to relieve stress. During exam preparation, anxiety and moments of stagnation are inevitable. Rather than aiming for a completely stress-free state, I find it more effective to maintain a level of pressure that is “slightly stressful but still motivating.” Keep moving forward without overexerting yourself. In fact, this mindset applies not only to exams, but also to many other goals in life.                — Author: Ms. Chen Chia-Min