Vinyl ester resins are thermosetting resins that consist of a styrene monomer and the addition products of epoxy resins and methacrylic acid. As a result, they are sometimes referred to as "epoxy vinyl esters". They are somewhere between epoxies and polyester in performance properties and price. Vinyl esters cure rapidly at room temperature, such as a polyester, but exhibit adhesion and chemical resistance properties that are more representative of an epoxy.
Vinyl ester based adhesives provide high load-bearing joints with high modulus and enhanced chemical resistance. In this way they provide high value in applications requiring lower price, higher durability, faster applications, and better chemical resistance. Current adhesive applications include bonding of composite materials and bonding of acrylic and ABS plastics in industries requiring good moisture resistance (e.g., boat building, bathroom construction, spa and pool, outdoor products such as ladders, pipes, tanks, and marine products).