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While many high temperature epoxies designed for metals are available, J-B Weld is one of the few that has been marketed to the public.
J-B Weld Co. has its beginnings rooted in the mid 1960's. Sam Bonham, at the time running a machine shop, discovered a way to create what he called a "tougher than steel" epoxy. In 1968, Sam's wife, who became Mary Bonham, influenced him to sell his invention and founded the J-B Weld company. Initially, they sold to automotive shops in Texas; however, the company currently does business in all states in the United States, and in twenty seven foreign countries.
Sam passed away suddenly in 1989. He had commented before his death that his life's dream was to see J-B Weld, the original product, sold in all countries around the world. Within a year of his death, his wife Mary had opened a European hub, internationalizing the J-B Weld company and the distribution of the product.
As of 2004, Mary Bonham's daughter, Rhonda Young, holds the Chief Executive Office of the J-B Weld corporation. The business is still a family owned business, although a very large one; the J-B Weld website acclaims that six million units of their product will be sold in 2004 [1].
The main product, J-B Weld, is a hard, hi temperature, metal filled epoxy, originally designed for permanent repair of automotive engines. Unique chemistry allows this product to adhere to some metals, like aluminum, where most other epoxies fail. It can withstand temperatures up to 260ºC (500ºF).
It is designed to have properties similar to metal; it can be drilled, ground, tapped, machined, filled, sanded, and painted.
Other J-B Weld company products;