Epoxy resin possesses excellent physical and mechanical properties, electrical insulation properties, adhesive properties with various materials, and the flexibility of its application process, which are not available in other thermosetting plastics. Therefore, it can be made into coatings, composites, casting materials, adhesives, molding materials, and injection molding materials, and is widely used in various fields of the national economy.

1. Coatings
   Epoxy resin accounts for a relatively large proportion in the application of coatings, and it can be made into various varieties with distinct characteristics and different uses. Their commonalities are:
   (1) Excellent chemical resistance, especially alkali resistance;
   (2) Strong adhesion of the paint film, especially to metals;
   (3) Good heat resistance and electrical insulation properties;
   (4) Good color retention of the paint film.
   However, the weather resistance of bisphenol A type epoxy resin coatings is poor. The paint film is prone to chalking and losing its luster outdoors and is not plump enough, so it is not suitable for use as outdoor coatings and highly decorative coatings. Therefore, epoxy resin coatings are mainly used as anti-corrosion paints, metal primers, and insulating paints. However, coatings made from heterocyclic and alicyclic epoxy resins can be used outdoors.
2. Adhesives
   Except for poor adhesion to non-polar plastics such as polyolefins, epoxy resin has excellent adhesive properties for various metal materials such as aluminum, steel, iron, and copper; non-metal materials such as glass, wood, and concrete; and thermosetting plastics such as phenolic, amino, and unsaturated polyester. Therefore, it is known as a "universal adhesive". Epoxy adhesives are an important variety of structural adhesives