Without the perfect structural adhesives, the strength of a package can quickly diminish. By choosing an adhesive that features an extremely tough cohesive strength, they can one day replace mechanical fasteners. Top of the line structural adhesives are able to bond materials like glass, metal, ceramic, wood, and composites.
Why choose a structural adhesive for your operation?
One of the main positives to choosing an adhesive over a fastener is reducing the risk of damage that can potentially happen during any application. Typically, drilling holes are essential in using mechanical fastening methods. As the welding on the fasteners begins, there is typically heat distortion and warping. This can be avoided with a structural adhesive, keeping the underlying layers intact.
There’s Adhesives …then there’s Structural Adhesives
The difference between normal adhesives and structural adhesives is the ability to carry load-bearing weight: a normal adhesive is simply not strong enough. Typically, structural adhesives have incredible environmental resistance as well as chemical resistance. Above that, each type of structural adhesive has a versatility of properties to accommodate any and all materials and projects.
Choosing a Structural Adhesive
There are many types of structural adhesives and each adheres to a particular set of conditions. When choosing the proper type, the following should be taken into consideration:
1. Expected conditions – What kind of weather conditions, temperatures, UV exposure, and humidity might the package come into contact with?
2. Chemical resistance – Will this contact with chemicals be constant or occasional?
3. Cleanliness – Will the adhesive be used in medical or pharmaceutical packaging? What about food packaging?
4. Mechanical aspects – How much stress will be put on the bond lines? What vibrational forces are to be expected?
By taking note of the above conditions, the perfect structural adhesive can be found. With that in mind, we can explore three reputable structural adhesives and their characteristics to best suit the user’s needs.
3M Scotch-Weld Epoxy Potting Compound DP270
This adhesive is known as a rigid potting compound that features a two-part epoxy, with a 1:1 mix ratio is 1:1 and a work life of up to 70 minutes. The handling strength of this specific adhesive is 3 hours. It can be used for bond gluing, attaching, encapsulating, potting, and sealing.
3M Scotch-Weld Threadlocker TL42
This adhesive is a type of general purpose structural adhesive. Threadlocker TL42 is able to prevent corrosion and provides solid shock resistance while preventing vibrations. This type of adhesive can be used with heavy machinery, appliances, industrial use, transportation, aerospace equipment, and more.
3M Scotch-Weld Epoxy Adhesive DP460
DP460 is also a two-part epoxy adhesive, much like DP270. With the DP460, there is a 2:1 mix ratio and a slightly shorter work life than its counterpart. The 60-minute work life is balanced out by a handling strength of 4 hours. This adhesive can be used for structural bonding, panel bonding, repairing, assembling, and attaching.
Structural Adhesives from Hughes
The above three adhesives are only some examples able to bond load-bearing pieces of equipment that reach upwards of 1,000 psi strength. By deciding on one of the above, you’re guaranteed a product that can replace rivets, welds, bolts, and other mechanical fasteners.
The use of powerful sealing and structural adhesives can eliminate unnecessary damages while providing a safe and secure solution. For help with ordering structural adhesives that works best in your packaging operation, contact a Hughes Sales Representative for assistance.