What Are Cured Epoxy Resin Removers?  

What Are Cured Epoxy Resin Removers?

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Epoxy resins are extremely versatile epoxide polymers used in several industries. But while these resins are frequently applied for various reasons, they also need to be removed for various reasons. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at epoxy resins and what chemicals it takes to remove this durable substance. 

Epoxy Resins Explained 

Epoxy resins are reliable due to their durability and strong adhesive qualities. They are generally blended with a hardener or curing agent to cure the epoxy, solidifying it into a stronger substance. Here are only some of the industries this substance is found: 

  • Vehicle manufacturing 
  • Boat manufacturing 
  • Aircraft manufacturing 
  • Bicycle manufacturing  
  • Paints and coatings 
  • Adhesive for various materials such as wood, glass, or metals 

Unfortunately, epoxy can wear down or need to be replaced, but once the epoxy resin is cured, it can be very difficult to remove. Physical removal of cured epoxy is tedious and can even damage the surface bonded to the resin. There is however another option: chemical removal.   

What Does Chemical Removal Mean?   

Chemical removal of epoxy resin involves using a specialized aggressive chemical solution, or cured epoxy resin removers, to penetrate the resin and break it down, weakening its adhesion to the surface. One of the most common chemicals used for cured resin removal is methylene chloride, which is an effective yet controversial solvent due to its toxicity and negative environmental effects.  

Methylene chloride poses multiple risks to both human health and the environment:  

  • Highly flammable 
  • Can cause severe eye irritation and damage 
  • Can cause skin irritation 
  • Potentially carcinogenic 
  • Can cause coughing, wheezing, dizziness, or respiratory irritation if inhaled 
  • Contributes to ozone depletion as an air pollutant 

Are there any Safer Options for Cured Epoxy Resin Removers?   

Fortunately, there are specially formulated products that effectively replace hazardous solvents like methylene chloride and ensure both safety and quality. One example of the ideal epoxy resin remover is Safe Strip, an environmentally preferred resin and paint solvent that possesses many benefits:   

  • Biodegradable 
  • Nonflammable 
  • Recyclable 
  • Low VOC emissions 
  • Removes coatings in only one step 
  • Effective on cured and uncured coatings 
  • Effective on all coatings, even two-step high solids polyurethane and epoxy resins 
  • Recyclable  
  • Lower Inhalation Hazard Index than methylene chloride, making it significantly safer for industrial and commercial use.  

Looking to Buy a Safe Strip for Epoxy Resin or Paint Removal? 

You can purchase Safe Strip here, or get in touch with our specialized staff here to help you find the best environmentally preferred product for your business or industrial needs.   

What Is an Epoxy Resin Remover?

What Is an Epoxy Resin Remover?

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Epoxy resins are generally used in various industries for their strong adhesive properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and versatility. These types of resins are used for dozens of applications, including: 

  • Vehicle manufacturing 
  • Aircraft manufacturing 
  • Paints and coatings 
  • Bicycle manufacturing  
  • Boat manufacturing 
  • Wood, metal, or glass adhesive 

These polymers are usually mixed with a curing agent or hardener in order to harden and “cure” into a stronger substance.  

Though these polymers are extremely durable and strong, they can sometimes wear down and need to be removed. It can be very tricky to remove cured epoxy resin, as physical removal can be tedious and damaging to the surface bonded to the resin. Luckily, specific chemicals can be used to make the epoxy removal process much easier.  

What Chemicals Can Be Used as Epoxy Resin Remover? 

A good epoxy resin remover will be an aggressive solvent that effectively breaks down the epoxy and successfully removes it. Unfortunately, most of these aggressive solvents contain highly toxic compounds that pose various health risks to industrial workers and can be damaging to the environment as air pollutants. For example, methylene chloride has been used for epoxy removal, but is carcinogenic and contributes to ozone depletion.  

A safer chemical for epoxy removal can be acetone, which is a strong cleaning agent that effectively removes various epoxy resins. Those searching for a highly effective and specifically formulated product may be more interested in Safe Strip, an environmentally preferred epoxy resin and paint remover which offers numerous benefits over hazardous chemicals: 

  • Biodegradable 
  • Recyclable 
  • Non-flammable 
  • Effective on all coatings, including two-step high solids epoxy and polyurethane resins 
  • Effective on both uncured and cured coatings 
  • Low VOC emissions 
  • No ozone-depleting components 
  • Replaces hazardous solvents like toluene, benzene, and methylene chloride 
  • Can be used in an immersion tank, gun cleaning tank, or as a brush-on, rinse-off solvent 

Looking for an Industrial-Grade Resin Remover? 

If you are looking to purchase Safe Strip for your business or industrial needs, you can purchase the product here, or reach out to Ecolink staff here with any questions or help to find the ideal product for you.  

What Is the Most Commonly Used Paint Remover Chemical?

What Is the Most Commonly Used Paint Remover Chemical?

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The most utilized paint remover chemical is methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane. Though effective and relied on by many industries, this chemical is controversial due to its toxicity.  

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the dangers associated with dichloromethane exposure and alternative chemicals for paint removers that aren’t only safer, but greener. 

Dangers of Dichloromethane 

Some of the main concerns of using paint removers that contain dichloromethane are worker safety and environmental health. Dichloromethane is classified as an air pollutant and has several hazards associated with exposure to this chemical: 

  • Flammable 
  • Contributes to ozone depletion 
  • Potentially carcinogenic, as high concentrations can cause liver and lung cancer 
  • Can cause severe eye irritation and damage 
  • Can cause skin irritation 
  • If inhaled, it can cause coughing, wheezing, and respiratory irritation 
  • High levels of exposure can cause nausea, dizziness, or even unconsciousness 

Methylene chloride has even been banned in U.S. consumer paint removers and in the EU. It’s no surprise that many companies are beginning to make the switch from traditional hazardous paint remover chemicals to modern products that are much safer, not only for workers but for the environment as well.  

One example of such a product is Safe Strip, an environmentally conscious paint and resin solvent that has been formulated to replace hazardous solvents like methylene chloride, benzene, and toluene.  

Benefits of Safe Strip 

  • Biodegradable 
  • Recyclable 
  • No ozone-depleting components 
  • Low VOC emissions 
  • Removes coatings in only one step 
  • Effective on all coatings, including high-solids epoxy and polyurethane resins 
  • Strong performance, comparable to methylene chloride 
  • Significantly lower Inhalation Hazard Index than methylene chloride, making it much safer for both industrial and commercial applications 
  • Can be used in immersion tanks, gun cleaning tanks, or as a brush-on, rinse-off solvent 

Not only is Safe Strip ideal for those searching to create a safer workspace, but it also gives peace of mind to those who want to contribute less to environmental damage. Because of strict regulations on hazardous chemicals, companies that switch to safer products do not have to worry about multiple regulations or limits on product usage.  

Looking to Purchase Safe Strip for Your Business Needs?  

You are in the perfect place! Here at Ecolink, we can help you find the ideal chemicals for various applications. You can check out the Safe Strip product page here, or reach out to our staff with any questions to get help finding the best product for your needs.  

Where to Find a Non-flammable Paint Remover

Where to Find a Non-flammable Paint Remover

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Aggressive paint removers tend to have one specific chemical property that may be undesirable to certain individuals or companies: flammability.  

Most industries do not necessarily require a non-flammable chemical, but certain industries may desire one in order to create a safer workplace and reduce risks of fire hazards.  

When it comes to painting removal, a non-flammable paint remover ensures a lower health risk for workers, especially for those utilizing the chemical around potential sources of ignition or electrical equipment.  

Are Most Paint Removing Chemicals Flammable? 

Unfortunately, yes. 

The most common chemical used in paint removers is methylene chloride—a potentially carcinogenic flammable compound. Methylene chloride is also infamous for its toxicity, even being banned in consumer paint-removing products.  

Those looking for a non-flammable paint remover shouldn’t feel discouraged just yet though, as there are many non-flammable options that are highly effective and are environmentally preferable. For example, Safe Strip is an ideal non-flammable paint and resin solvent that carries considerably fewer health hazards and can even replace hazardous solvents like methylene chloride or benzene.  

Why Is Safe Strip the Ideal Non Flammable Solvent?  

Safe Strip provides a wider range of applications with its non-flammable property, as workers will not have to worry about using the product around most electrical equipment or potential sources of ignition. On top of that, Safe Strip carries numerous desirable qualities:  

  • Biodegradable  
  • Recyclable  
  • Low VOC emissions (contrary to methylene chloride, which is an air pollutant) 
  • No ozone-depleting components 
  • Removes coatings in one step 
  • Reliable performance, comparable to methylene chloride or MEK 
  • Effective on all coatings, including high-solids epoxy and polyurethane resins 
  • May be used in immersion tanks, gun cleaning tanks, or as a brush on rinse-off solvent 

Interested in Purchasing Non flammable Paint Remover?

If you’re looking for a high-quality, non-flammable paint removal chemical for your business or industrial needs, then Safe Strip may be the right product for you. Reach out to our expert team today to learn if Safe Strip is right for your company, or visit Safe Strip’s product page to learn more. 

What Is Biodegradable Paint Remover

What Is Biodegradable Paint Remover?

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Most people know that a product labeled as biodegradable is considered an eco-friendly option, but not many know what the term actually means, or the harm that a non-biodegradable product can cause.  

In this blog post, we’ll discuss not only what biodegradable means, but also help you find the best industrial-grade biodegradable paint remover for your company’s needs. 

What Does it Mean if a Product Is Biodegradable? 

If a product is biodegradable, it means that it is usually non-hazardous, can decompose in the environment, and does not accumulate.  

Unfortunately, many paint removers contain methylene chloride and other harmful chemicals that may eventually biodegrade but are air pollutants that will contribute to ozone depletion and harm the environment before being decomposed.  

Other risks associated with methylene chloride include: 

  • Likely to be carcinogenic, as evidence shows that high levels of exposure are linked to liver and lung cancer 
  • Neurotoxin (meaning it can damage the brain and central nervous system) 
  • Can cause severe eye irritation and damage 
  • Can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and wheezing  
  • Inhalation may cause dizziness, nausea, or even unconsciousness 
  • Is readily absorbed through the skin 

Those searching for a biodegradable and eco-friendly paint remover are most likely searching for a safer option that does not pose as many health risks. Luckily, there are multiple options available that are biodegradable, significantly less toxic, and ensure a safer work environment.  

What Are Some Examples of Biodegradable Paint Removers? 

A common example that is becoming increasingly popular is acetone-based products, which are usually inexpensive and are not a concern for the environment or humans at normal exposure levels. Another example is soy-based products that are derived from soybean oil and are biodegradable and non-ozone depleting.  

Individuals searching for a specifically formulated industrial solvent may be more interested in a product like Safe Strip.  

Safe Strip is an environmentally preferred paint and resin solvent that effectively replaces hazardous solvents like methylene chloride and benzene. The benefits of the paint remover highly outweigh the few benefits of hazardous solvents, and include the following: 

  • Biodegradable 
  • Recyclable 
  • Non-flammable 
  • No ozone-depleting substances 
  • Low VOC emissions 
  • Removes coatings in one step 
  • Reliable performance, similar to methylene chloride 
  • Can be used in gun cleaning tanks, immersion tanks, or as a brush-on, rinse-off solvent 

Interested in Purchasing Safe Strip? 

Safe Strip can be purchased from Ecolink, a chemical supplier that offers an array of eco-friendly options that also ensure a safer work environment. If you would like to purchase Safe Strip, reach out to our staff by clicking here!