Epoxy is an incredibly strong type of glue that forms a very long-lasting bond between materials. When you mix two separate liquids together, they create a chemical reaction that hardens into something extremely tough, capable of holding metal, wood, plastic, or glass together with tremendous strength.

Unlike regular glue that just dries, epoxy actually transforms into a new solid material through a chemical process called curing. This makes it ideal when you need something to stay stuck for a very long time. Boat builders use epoxy to seal hulls so they don't leak. Engineers use it to repair cracked engine parts. Artists use it to create crystal-clear coatings on paintings or to embed objects in transparent blocks.

The two-part mixing process matters: once combined, you typically have minutes to hours before it hardens completely, depending on the type. After that, the bond is very hard to break without damaging whatever you've glued.

You'll also hear epoxy used to describe the hardened material itself, like an epoxy coating on a garage floor that protects concrete and makes it shine.