Structural adhesives
By Staff | February 2008
ITW Plexus’ (Danvers, Mass.) three new room-temp-cure, two-part methacrylate structural adhesives reportedly yield strong yet flexible bonds between composite parts with little or no surface prep. Work times are sufficient for large assemblies. Service temperatures range from -40°F to 180°F (-40°C to 82°C). The 100 percent reactive, nonsagging gels can be dispensed manually or via standard meter-mix equipment to bond polyester (including DCPD-modified) and vinyl ester FRPs as well as ABS, acrylics, PVC and styrenics. MA530 has a working time of 30 to 40 minutes and fills gaps as wide as 0.70 inch/17.8 mm. In preliminary tests, a 0.03-inch/0.76-mm bondline achieved ~75 percent of ultimate shear strength in 90 to 160 minutes at 74°F/23°C. MA560-1 has a longer working time (55 to 70 minutes) and fills gaps up to 1 inch/25.4 mm. Fixture time for a 0.03 inch/0.76 mm bondline is 220 minutes to 240 minutes at 74°F/23°C. MA590 has a 90-minute to 105-minute working time and in identical tests achieved ~75 percent of ultimate shear strength in 180 minutes to 240 minutes.
