Everwide newsletter No.479

Experiment § Development of Phenoxy Resin

Phenoxy resin is a high-performance thermoplastic amorphous polymer with excellent compatibility. It can be widely used in polyurethane, polyester, and epoxy resin systems as a resin modifier (Figure 1). The addition of phenoxy resin effectively improves material toughness and chemical resistance, while significantly reducing resin loss in composites.Its molecular structure contains abundant hydroxyl functional groups, enabling reactions with isocyanates, melamine resins, and phenolic resins. After crosslinking, it can greatly enhance adhesion to difficult-to-bond substrates. In addition, phenoxy resin can be applied in one-component epoxy systems containing latent curing agents (such as dicyandiamide), significantly improving toughness and adhesion strength after curing. Phenoxy resin is available in different molecular weight grades. In this study, phenoxy resin was dissolved in MEK and epoxy resin respectively to evaluate viscosity range and thermal baking stability, thereby characterizing its properties (Figures 2–4). Different molecular weight grades can be synthesized through various processing methods. Interested parties are welcome to contact us for further information. — Author: Ms. Lin Chia-Ching

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About Us § A New Teammate for Packaging Operations

In the past, packaging operations relied on manual handling and carton sealing by employees. Repetitive movements over long periods could easily cause physical strain. To improve this situation, we recently installed an automated carton sealing and strapping machine. After cartons are placed on the conveyor, the machine automatically folds the top flaps, applies sealing tape, and finally secures the cartons with strapping bands. After the equipment installation was completed, the supplier also provided operation training for the relevant employees. Since the equipment was put into operation, it has effectively reduced the workload on employees and made the packaging process more stable and efficient.

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Knowledge § What Types of Acrylic Adhesives Are There? (2)

Acrylate adhesives that undergo chemical reactions during bonding can generally be classified into two major categories based on their polymerization mechanisms: anionic polymerization and free-radical polymerization. The monomer used in the former is cyanoacrylate, commonly known as instant adhesive or super glue. This type of adhesive is initiated by trace amounts of moisture or alkaline substances present on the substrate surface, triggering anionic polymerization and resulting in curing. The monomer used in the latter is acrylate. Common products such as UV-curing adhesives, anaerobic adhesives, red/blue threadlockers, and two-component structural adhesives all belong to this category. Their differences mainly lie in the mechanisms used to generate free radicals, which lead to different curing characteristics and application forms. Taking UV-curing adhesives as an example, the photoinitiator absorbs specific wavelengths of light and generates free radicals, which initiate the polymerization reaction and achieve curing and bonding.

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Living § Family Trip in Okinawa

My first impression of Okinawa, Japan, was its slow-paced lifestyle, which stands in sharp contrast to my busy daily routine. During this trip, my family and I chose to travel by self-driving, which provided greater flexibility in planning and allowed us to experience local life more deeply. The roads were clearly designed, and drivers were courteous to one another, making it safe and reassuring for pedestrians to cross the street. This orderly traffic culture made the journey smooth throughout and also helped me realize the importance of order and respect. This attitude is worth learning and practicing in both daily life and work. During the trip, we visited several attractions, including the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Manzamo, American Village, Kouri Ocean Tower, and Heart Rock. The most memorable place was the aquarium, where whale sharks swam freely in a massive tank, and the dolphin show outside the aquarium was also very impressive. The close interaction between trainers and dolphins demonstrated their intelligence and liveliness, and also made me feel the importance of teamwork, trust, and patience. After returning to work, I reminded myself to stay steady and patient, follow procedures and regulations, and complete every task with care. I hope to transform the experiences from this trip into personal growth in both work and daily life.                                                                                                           — Author: Mr. Kuo Yu-Wei

Thriving means working hard. Editor: Chan,Si-man/Lin,Yi-Chu Layout: Chan,Si-manE-mail：service@everwide.com.tw