Which of the following is NOT a component of epoxy?

Epoxy is a type of polymer material commonly used in coatings, adhesives, and composites, composed of various components that contribute to its performance and curing process. Among these components, the base (or resin) and curing agent (or hardener) are essential. The base provides the necessary consistency and chemical properties, while the curing agent facilitates the chemical reaction that converts the resin into a solid state, forming a durable bond.

The term "binder" generally refers to the component in coatings that adheres the pigment and additives to the substrate, which can also include the epoxy resin itself serving this purpose.

Water, on the other hand, is not a traditional component of epoxy systems. While there are some specialized epoxy formulations that may include water as a diluent or additive, standard epoxy formulations rely on the chemical reaction between the base resin and curing agent without the need for water. Thus, identifying water as not being a component of conventional epoxy systems aligns with the fundamental chemistry of how epoxies are formulated and used in various applications.