Excellent automotive and electronics glue and sealant in one

We know it’s a common problem in the ever increasingly complex challenges most industries face. How do you keep the number of adhesion failures and adhesion related workshop errors as low as possible, while also reducing the number of different adhesives and sealants you have to stock? To complicate matters, in most branches the end result must be as green as possible, recyclable or even compostable.

This might be especially true if your company produces parts or accessories for the automotive or electronics industry. The range of materials these industries use is so wide: aluminium and other metals, glass, wood, plastics, FRP. The list is endless. So, how do you hold it all together?

It’s part of the deal, you might say, to encounter issues in adhesion or sealing applications, and we’d agree. The ability to detect and find a solution for those issues in the early stages is hugely important. Some might say it can turn out to be the basic distinction between a mediocre company and an industry leader.

In general, adhesion issues may take a while to surface. The parts may already be shipped or past the assembly line of your customer, possibly resulting in warranty claims or even costly product recalls. If you’re a third-party parts or accessories manufacturer, the success of your entire company could depend on it. It’s no surprise you want to play it safe and stick to what you know.

If you are looking for an excellent bonding adhesive or sealant that can take on most materials and applications, you’re in for quite the quest. Contact us to find what you need.

The right electronics glue can make life much easier

Manufacturers will agree it’s often a bit of a balancing act. On the one hand, you need to have the best glue for the job. There are many glues that perform admirably on certain substrates, but not so well on others.

Maybe you have been looking for one that performed well on all the materials in your manufacturing process. Chances are, you couldn’t find one. The solution was to find a different glue for the other substrate combinations. So, over the years, your storage became stocked with a range of adhesives and sealants.

That may have worked for the quality of the products that roll off your production line, but we reckon the floor manager, the buyer and the stock manager may have different views on the efficiency of it all.

The floor manager will tell you that using a wide range of adhesives and sealants also increases the risk of errors on the workfloor. Most glues look pretty much the same, so it’s very easy to load the equipment with the wrong product. Mixing different adhesives in application equipment may cause unpredictable issues that lead to production downtime and costly repairs. The solution could be buying more equipment, one for every type of adhesive, but this comes with a hefty price tag.

Also, the buyer and the stock manager will have their own problems, because buying and stocking gets more complicated as the number of products in storage are increased. These problems are exacerbated by details in buying contracts, stock availability, available warehouse space, shelf life of current stock, and so on. Any reduction in the number of adhesives and sealants would be a welcome relief.

Versatile adhesives for automotive and electronics applications save money

We can think of many applications that will benefit from this. A typical application could be the assembly of air-bags or lighting units for the automotive industry. The fixation of vehicle sensors and gauges to keep them in place, while damaging vibrations are reduced, is another.

An entirely different application could be the adhesion of rfid tags to plastic substrates. Or the construction of parts that don’t require access or disassembly later on.

It is also worth mentioning that many adhesives and sealants are based on natural products, these days. We know of reliable products made with castor oil, for instance. These often don’t contain hazardous solvents, making them a modern and responsible alternative to many other adhesives.

In conclusion, when you’re assembling electronics devices for the automotive industry, or manufacture parts for any other industry for that matter, you want to reduce the number of gluesand sealants as much as possible, without surrendering adhesion strength and reliability on a wide variety of substrates and materials.

Let’s emphasize again, having an electronics adhesive that bonds easily with many materials can save a lot of time and money. The benefits are even greater when the adhesive also doubles as a reliable sealant.

If you need a specialized adhesive or sealant to replace your current product, contact us for advice.

Contact us

High-strength metal-to-metal adhesive for aircraft construction

Your company is searching for the best adhesives available for the construction and maintenance of airplanes. In the aerospace industry there is only limited leeway between ‘perfect’ and ‘not good enough’.

In the aircraft branche you can’t get away with less-than-perfectly assembled items. You want stuff to stay put. The reason is clear. In the aerospace industry, construction failures tend to have dire consequences. Delamination, bolts running loose, stuff breaking, these are all issues that you definitely want to avoid.

These are things that cannot be fixed in a standard warranty process. That’s not because it’s a money thing – though we could be talking serious financial claims – but because people’s lives depend on the quality of every part in the structural assembly. Not a lot of leeway here.

When you’re in the business of bolting things together, you need a truly reliable threadlocker. For instance, a two-part epoxy metal-to-metal glue that is made for the job. Contact us, if you want to know more.

Epoxy adhesive threadlocker for secure aircraft assembly applications

It is absolutely true that manufacturing for the aerospace industry means serious business. Words like ‘reliability’ and ‘trust’ come up a lot, when discussing new products or partners. You need the reassurance then, that your particular metal adhesive will not fail you. You can’t cut corners in this business.

For your assembly line you’ll want a high-reactive two-component epoxy adhesive for metal-tometal applications. Not just any glue, but one that is especially developed for securing and locking metal bolts in aircrafts. These bolts must be able to sustain a wide range of forces, temperatures, and vibrations and you want an adhesive that fits these requirements.

The best type would be one with filling properties, to help establishing a perfectly uniform contact surface. This makes the bond even stronger.

For this particular type of assembly, it is also absolutely vital that pin-point application can be guaranteed. You want the adhesive to come in practical quantities, like easy-to-use burst packs that allow economical usage in small increments.

It also must be easy to mix. When an engineer is bolting parts together, they don’t want to mess around with beakers and stirrers. It’s much cleaner and easier to just take a package, break the internal seal and kneed the contents by hand, cut off a corner and apply the mixed adhesive exactly where it’s needed. Come to think of it, this is the only time where cutting corners is actually recommended.

Strong two-component epoxy adhesive that is easy to mix and apply

It is wonderful when the application is as easy as the preparation. Calling it airplane glue could give off the wrong impression, but if the adhesive described above also has a good pot life and a sag-free thixotropy, application could become as relaxed as if building an airplane model. The comparison ends there, of course, but you know what we mean.

It goes without saying – but we still like to emphasize it – that the right threadlocker must also be resistant to FP4 jet fuel and lubrication oils of the type that are generally used in the aerospace industry.

And things are looking up even more when the glue contains not hazardous solvents. That is even more reassuring when you’re working in a confined space, say, a fuselage.

If you need advice on adhesives or sealants, contact us

We know where you can find the best high-tech sealants and adhesives for your specialized application.

Contact us

Strong-bonding epoxy adhesive for metal and plastic substrates

One of the common truths in manufacturing is that different materials have different properties. Of course, that is exactly why you pick a particular mix of materials. Every material brings along a number of benefits, and sometimes, a few problems, too.

Probably the most obvious problem is the fact that every material has its own set of characteristics that is affected by temperature changes. Even when their properties still remainwithin your requirements for that particular item, one thing often does change: their physical size.

Materials tend to stretch when heated up, and shrink when cooled down. This wouldn’t be a problem if different materials would behave exactly the same under similar conditions. But, as we all know, they don’t.

When a mix of substrates is bonded with a low or medium strength adhesive, those little differences in stretch or shrinkage will tear the bond, or the substrates, sooner or later. This problem may be exacerbated by differences in substrate thickness. The combination of these elements can become a real manufacturing nightmare.

Does your production line require a high-tech and high-strength epoxy adhesive that can bond a mix of similar or dissimilar substrates, while maintaining a gas-tight and moistureproof protective seal?
Contact us for more information.

So, now you have the challenge of finding the solution to your production nightmare. You know what you need: a high-strength metal to plastic glue that can bond similar and dissimilar substrates together without failing under changing temperatures. Though ‘glue’ is quite the oversimplification when it comes to such a high-tech adhesive.

In general, you’ll find two groups of adhesives. One group is developed to do many things in an acceptable way, the other does one thing extremely well. But how do you pick the right one for your application? You don’t want to try out all of them.

As said, the puzzle is a lot harder to crack when not only the properties of the materials are completely different, but also their thickness forms a defining element in your application.

Before you know it, you end up with a different adhesive for each job. But that will probably introduce a whole new set of issues.

Having to use a range of adhesives will not only burden your buyer and your company inventory manager. It also may add to workplace accidents and increase the number of damaged and useless finished products.

Any experienced manager will know that such a wide variety of adhesives in a workplace will –invariably – lead to application issues. Different adhesives often require different application methods, and sometimes different equipment too. And with two-component adhesives – alsoknown as reactive adhesives – there’s always the possibility that someone accidentally uses the wrong mixing ratio.

The bigger the number of different adhesives in manufacturing environments, the higher the chances of people making mistakes. And guess who ends up paying for the loss?

High-strength adhesive that lets others play well together

There are high-strength adhesives out there that can take care of this nightmare for you. They can glue similar materials together, but also metal to plastic, or plastic to metal. Aluminium (or aluminium, if you’re from Europe), various plastics, rigid vinyl, regardless of the properties of the substrate.

We can find you an epoxy that will achieve an extremely strong bond that can withstand the different thermal expansion properties of the substrates.

On top of that, it will also turn into a gas-tight and moisture-proof seal, forming a protective layer that is insensitive to chemicals and moisture. Adhesion, sealing, protecting; what’s not to like?

Another factor is the ease of application. You want something that has the right thixotropic properties. Preferably with little to no run-off, regardless of the application and layer thickness. An epoxy that you can apply as a thin or thick-film coating would dramatically increase the range of applications and industries it can be used in.

Epoxy adhesive and sealant for in-place laminates of various properties

There’s one thing your application may require that we haven’t mentioned yet. In some cases, the seal between the substrates must not only be gas-tight and moisture-proof, but also shock resistant. By forming a semi-rigid bond, the epoxy also provides resistance to plastic creep, ensuring a sturdy resistance to vibration, impact and thermal shock.

All these properties add up to a formidably versatile epoxy adhesive sealant. While such an adhesive would be particularly suitable for adhering in-place laminates, it may not be limited to that application alone. And the best news is that Adhesive Platform knows which adhesive you need.

We know where you can find the best high-tech sealants and adhesives for your application. If you have special application needs and seek advice, contact us. We’re glad to help you on your way.

Contact us

Increasing demand for PUR and POR reactive hot melt gluers for automotive adhesives

The need for reactive hot melt adhesives has never been greater, thanks to their extraordinary strength and versatility. Reactive hot melt gluers refer to polyurethane (PUR) hot melts and silane-modified polyolefin (POR) adhesives. Both reactive hot melt adhesive types are used in many industries, including the automotive industry, electronics, and construction. In this article, we focus on hot melt gluers for automotive industry assembly and repairs.

Two-stage curing in reactive adhesive technology

Reactive hot melt adhesives are also known as moisture-curing hot melts. This means that the hot melt gluer reaches its final cure as it reacts with moisture in the air and substrate. These adhesives have a two-stage curing profile which divides the process into physical and chemical curing.

1. Physical setting: shortly after the hot melt gluer has been applied, the physical setting takes place. This allows the adhesive to reach a stage of hardness which allows for further processing and transport.
2. Chemical crosslinking: the second stage of curing may take hours or even days, depending on adhesive type and moisture present in the environment. During chemical crosslinking, the hot melt gluer loses its thermoplastic properties and becomes thermoset, which means that high heat does not affect it.

The unique curing process makes PUR and POR hot melt adhesives a desired solution for many automotive adhesive applications. They can be used for example in making seats, gluing carpets, bonding foam-based materials, fixing cables, and attaching door sill protectors, as well as bonding emblems and gear knobs. These are not the only applications for reactive hot melt adhesives: the range of possibilities is nearly limitless. Contact us to discover whether PUR or POR hot melt is the solution for your automotive adhesive application.

Benefits of reactive hot melt adhesives as automobile glue

The reactive hot melt adhesives are not always the cheapest, but they are versatile in use and are a high-quality automobile glue, even on substrates that have been considered “un-glueable”. The automotive adhesives are rather light, which contributes to vehicle weight reduction. They also bond lightweight materials that are crucial in lighter weight vehicles. The application of a hot melt gluer is also rather easy, as long as the right type of hot melt dispenser is used.

The two types, polyurethane and silane-modified polyolefin-based systems, both have their own unique advantages.

What makes polyurethane hot melt adhesives special

Polyurethane hot melt adhesives have a combination of benefits which make a very unique adhesive. The beneficial hot melt gluer properties include the following.

• Heat resistance: crucial for both finished products and further processing, PUR hot melts are heat-resistant once they have reached the final cure. Heat resistance is not a common property for hot melt adhesives.
• Low-temperature flexibility: common for polyurethane adhesives, reactive hot melts also remain flexible in low temperatures. Depending on the application, this can be a great advantage.
• Extraordinary strength: PUR hot melt forms the strongest bonds out of all hot melt adhesives.
• Excellent adhesion: PUR hot melt adhesives adhere well to a wide range of substrates including lightweight materials that are increasingly used in vehicle assembly.
• Solvent resistance: polyurethane hot melt adhesives are known for their excellent solvent resistance which opens up more application possibilities.

Share your specifications with us and find out whether PUR hot melt solves your automotive adhesive problems.

When to use POR hot melt adhesives

PUR hot melt adhesives are versatile and have unique characteristics which fit many applications. However, some applications that require reactive hot melt adhesives cannot be realized with PUR: this is when POR hot melt comes into focus. The silane-modified polyolefin-based adhesives share many advantages with polyurethane, but they also adhere to surfaces that are a challenge for PUR hot melt. Untreated, non-polar surfaces such as polypropylene (PP), common in vehicle assembly, can be easily bonded with POR adhesives.

Additionally, even though POR hot melts do not reach the strength of PUR, they form very durable bonds that are more environmentally friendly than those made with other reactive hot melt adhesives. Typical for modified silane based adhesives, POR hot melts do not contain isocyanates. This also means that a hot melt gluer is not labeled as a hazardous good. In some cases, this may be the deciding factor when choosing hot melt automotive adhesives.

Looking for POR or PUR hot melt adhesives, and matching application equipment?

In case you need any assistance in deciding about reactive hot melt adhesives or are looking for hot melt gluer systems for specific applications, contact us!

We value services like:

• Laboratory testing of adhesives and equipment
• On-site advice and fast product delivery
• Support in case of malfunction and repair services by well trained technicians
• Support in further development towards better bonding
• Multilingual service

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Aircraft sealant solutions

Aviation sealants must maximise convenience, durability, comfort and safety. Failing to prioritise these can negatively affect the life of a plane—not to mention the lives of the people onboard! Characteristics to look for the best aeronautic sealant products for your aircraft needs are versatility, sustainability, ease-of-use, quality of flying experience, and industry compliance.

Characteristics to look for in aircraft sealant products

Versatility

A plane has countless components. Thus, there are countless needs for technical reinforcements. For example, curing times matter–a sealant can have a faster curing time. This increases convenience, but effectiveness might be compromised. Meanwhile, longer curing times are necessary when gluing larger parts of a plane, such as a wing. Also, an airplane’s various substrates should bond across multiple types of material, and in various application areas. Examples include inserts and brackets, cut-and-fold, or panel assembly. Because aircrafts go through extremes in temperature, the bonding must retain strength across the spectrum. 

Sustainability

A primary value of aircraft sealant is localized structural reinforcement. Thus, durability is paramount for success in aeronautics. If the parts of a plane fail to fit and stick together, or if components suffer from high vibration, the safety and utility of the aircraft are called into question. It is for this reason that airplane glue is a major factor in mitigating plane vibration, as well as reducing overall system costs. If the sealant is flexible and strong, vibration is minimized, maintenance requirements of the aircraft itself decrease, and product longevity increases. 

Ease-of-use

Is the aircraft sealant easy to apply? Does it make panels easy to assemble? Does the product have a long shelf-life, and can the sealant cure with a relatively smooth finish, requiring little-to-no sanding or machining? Can one airplane sealant handle multiple jobs? These are all important questions to ask when choosing the best aerospace adhesive.

Quality of flying experience

As crucial as it is to keep costs low and effectiveness of construction high, the safety and comfort of the cabin environment is equally important. Aircraft inner acoustics can have an uncomfortable or even distracting, unsafe effect on passengers, crewmembers, or pilots. It is not just the life of the plane that is at stake but the people in it, and, by extension, the willingness to purchase a flight in the first place. Does the aerospace sealant you use fit these aims?

Industry compliance

Flame-smoke-toxicity (FST) regulations are only the beginning. All of the above factors for using the best aerospace sealant products are underscored by the need to be industry compliant across several metrics. Are FAA and EASA flammability regulations met or exceeded? What about EU REACH compliance, or Airbus regulatory codes? Does a sealant contain carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproduction toxic substances (aka CMRs)? Smoke density and toxicity levels must be kept as low as possible, but also sealants must mitigate any risk of vertical burn. 

Aviation sealant: key types and traits

Different sealants offer different benefits. Several types of aviation sealants offer a range of solutions, namely, bonding, foaming and panel reinforcement sealants.

Bonding Sealants

Sandwich structure panels in aerospace applications have been central to aeronautic efficiency since the 1930s. Today, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products must consider efficiency at all times. The combination of lightweight materials can carry heavy loads without losing structural integrity, while retaining impact resistance. By definition, engineered bonding sealant solutions work across multiple materials, adhering to various substrates common to the aerospace industry, such as metal, composites, and thermoplastics. By extension, the best bonding sealants have high mechanical qualities and are able to withstand the full range of temperatures to which an aircraft is subjected.

Foaming Sealants

Foam pressure-sensitive adhesives offer versatility in terms of honeycomb-core finishing operations for aircraft, be it closing out or reinforcing localized edges and splicing cores. Moreover, because foaming adhesive can be formulated in many different ways, they can be compatible with many different processing methods, be it oven, press, or autoclave. And, foaming adhesive can be made available both in the form of sheets of varying thickness, as well as extruded beads in round or square shape. The result is a wide range of expansion rates, from a fraction larger than the original state, to multiple times the size, and the compatibility to fit within various geometric parameters and pre-impregnated fiber-polymer materials, such as aircraft epoxy or phenolic resin. They cure with a smooth finish, and the innate stickiness of the foam negates any need for additional adhesive for pre-bonding.

Panel Reinforcement Sealant

Due to their hexagonal structure, honeycomb-core panels are as lightweight as aircraft interiors get. Reinforcing these panels is essential in order to apply them in strategic areas, such as edges or localized spaces that require use of inserts or metal hinges, as well as insert bonding and border enhancement. Because panels are often non-metallic, they should meet flame-retardant industry standards. Good reinforcement choices will also impart high mechanical properties upon the honeycomb, such as toughness, strength, and low fatigue. Because panel reinforcement sealant material is homogenous, it has an admirably long shelf-life. In addition, it can be applied manually as a high-viscosity paste, or in a low-viscosity state via mechanized pump. All of the above make panel reinforcement sealants easy to use, as there is no mixing or weighing of different components in order to prepare the material for automatic application.

Let us help you find the best adhesive applicator for your next project. CLICK HERE to learn more.

What is the best adhesive applicator for your industry needs?

When making your choice, consider the key traits listed above: versatility, sustainability, ease-of-use, quality of flying experience, and industry compliance. For example, some aeronautic sealant products offer the “best of both worlds” in that their normal curing times at room temperature can be accelerated at higher temperature. Other sealants are available in differing densities, or are formulated according to specific core schedules. Bonding sealants, for example, can be both tough and versatile: they are ideally offered as one- or two-component adhesives, with open time that can vary from short periods of ten or twenty minutes for immediate bonding, to as long as two hours when bonding larger parts of the plane. In short: the end-goals are usually the same, but the best aerospace sealants offer many paths to get there.

Choose the right aerospace sealant solution. Contact us!

Choosing the right aerospace sealant solution takes time and expertise. Why not reach out to our customer support team for guidance? We can help you identify the best product for you and connect you with our network of industry-leading specialists.

Contact us

Road transport benefits from heavy truck and trailer bonding adhesives

The use of adhesives in road transport vehicles, such as combination vehicles, trucks and trailers, is ever increasing. This is due to the numerous advantages these solutions offer compared to their traditional, mechanical alternatives. Next to the obvious, the heavy truck and trailer bonding adhesive systems are suitable for example for use in vehicles for healthcare and leisure. These include ambulances, caravans and campers and tractors.

Here you will find information on heavy truck structural adhesive systems, metal adhesive for trailers and truck adhesive sealants. Additionally, we will list their advantages and some products used for the most challenging applications.

Benefits beyond bond with truck and trailer bonding adhesives

In vehicle assembly innovative materials are used to make the vehicles more durable and the production process more efficient. Therefore, many production facilities choose for (structural) adhesives instead of more traditional options. The benefits brought along by road transport adhesives include:

• Design freedom: adhesives do not hinder the design choices, they are applicable so that they do not remain visible.
• Even stress distribution: heavy truck adhesive systems are applied by spraying, spreading the product or using dots and beads. All these methods allow for a greater surface to bear the stress than when traditional fasteners are used.
• Material friendly: compared to fasteners like screws, these systems do not damage the materials since they need no holes.
• Weight saving: adhesives are much lighter in weight than for instance welded bonds. This is of high importance, since the road transport industry is shifting towards lighter materials in for example truck and trailer assembly. For example heavy trailer sandwich panel bonding can greatly benefit from the right type of adhesive.
• Visual attraction: adhesives can contribute to the visual attributes of trucks, trailers and other vehicles. They are either available in different colors or are paintable.
• Fast and easy application: the application of these systems can be fully integrated into the production process. It also allows for automation where suitable.
• Noise and vibration attenuation: important for the truck and trailer assembly, adhesives can absorb shocks and damp noise.
• Fewer corrosion problems: as there is no metal to metal connection, there is no risk for galvanic action, and so corrosion risk is minimal.

Heavy truck and trailer structural adhesive applications

Adhesives for truck and trailer assembly guarantee strength, durability and elasticity in a wide variety of applications ranging from ambulances and fire engines to bulldozers, buses and touring cars. Additionally, some applications for demanding environments or purposes may require other properties such as chemical resistance and high temperature resistance.

The systems for road transport include, sealants, adhesives, adhesive sealants and coatings. These are common for example in the following applications:

• Bonding and sealing: the sealant, adhesives and truck adhesive sealants are common in creating bonds and seals for windows. The seals and bonds are suitable for windows that consist of mineral glass, polycarbonate or other plastics.
• Truck structural bonding: many adhesives are suitable for structural bonding of panels, roofing, bodywork and floor elements. The truck and trailer panel adhesive bonding systems include MMA adhesive, which has a unique cure profile.
• Sealing: sealants play a crucial part in sealing welds, bodywork, chassis parts, panels and interior parts as well as roofing and flooring. Especially MS polymers have an impressive track record in sealing dissimilar materials in trucks, trailers and other road transport vehicles.
• Coating: floor elements of road transport vehicles benefit from an appropriate floor coating. This can be used in combination with a suitable primer to guarantee most durable results.

Road transport adhesives for a wide range of materials

These systems are generally versatile in use, for they provide sufficient adhesion to materials such as glass fiber reinforced polyester, powder coatings, polycarbonates, PMMA, composite materials as well as glass and metal.

The adhesives for truck and trailer assembly also work for materials which are usually difficult to seal or bond. For instance polypropylene, which has low surface tension and is therefore tricky to glue or seal. However, the use of polypropylene in the vehicle industry is increasing due to its properties such as light weight. Therefore, special products are required.

In case you have an application involving bonding polypropylene or other challenging material, contact us for consultation and suitable products.

Certification of heavy truck and trailer bonding adhesive systems

As road transport includes several types of vehicles suitable for specific environments and purposes, the product certification and standardization hold a paramount position when selecting adhesives. Below you can find some relevant certificates for adhesives for road transport.

• WheelMark indicates durability in harsh environments. Some adhesive and sealant products for road transport can be certified according to the Maritime Equipment Directive set by the EU. This is due to the fact that similar products are durable enough for use also in ship building and repair.
• ISEGA assures that heavy truck and trailer bonding adhesives are safe to use in the preparation, processing, treatment, packing, transport and distribution of food. These products must have the lowest risk of contamination, and other hazards. Therefore, the ISEGA certification, together with HACCP, is crucial especially for sealing and bonding products for vehicles that transport food.
• DNV GL provides functional safety for road transport. DNV GL is a certification body that assesses, among others, products for road transport according to several European and international standards. For road transport these include reliability, availability, maintainability and safety, software and system safety. DNV GL certified sealants and adhesives are up to standards.
• FMVSS 212 stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Windshield mounting assesses the strength and durability of windshield (and window) mounting in crash situations. As the windshields and windows in road transport vehicles are often glued and sealed using sealants and adhesives, their behavior in such situations is tested.

Note that similar certificates are also relevant for railway vehicles due to their similar tasks and operating environments.   

Expert consultancy for road transport bonding

Looking for a suitable adhesive for your road transport vehicles, trucks and trailers? You have come to the right place: contact us for information on systems or training, consultancy on the right product or requesting a quote for a specific adhesive system. Our specialists are happy to share their experience and expertise in order to guarantee success for your project.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Agricultural and construction machinery adhesive increases efficiency

Heavy machinery in agriculture and construction must be safe, reliable and durable with a hint of comfort. In order to meet the requirements, special construction and agricultural machinery adhesive systems replace welded seams and conventional fasteners. Agricultural and construction machinery adhesive solutions enable safer, stronger and quieter equipment and new, improved designs. Here you can find the advantages of bonding, and more specific adhesive applications in construction and agricultural machinery.

Construction and agricultural machinery adhesive benefits

Not only enable agricultural machinery adhesives stronger and quieter equipment, but have more advantages benefitting assembly lines and finished products. Agricultural and construction machinery adhesive systems are used for example in vehicles such as tractors, backhoes, skid steers and combines, cabins and engines, subcomponents such as gearboxes as well as attachments including mowers, harrows, seed drills and balers.

The advantages provided by construction and agricultural machinery adhesive systems include the following.

• Improving design: using adhesives instead of mechanical means of bonding allows for greater design freedom and improved aerodynamics. This contributes to lower fuel consumption.
• Optimizing machinery assembly: construction machinery adhesive systems are applicable in several ways meaning that it is possible to find the one that fits your assembly line the best. They are usually faster to apply than mechanical alternatives and their curing time can be reduced to minimum depending on the system.
• Cutting costs: adhesives generally reduce the production costs as they are cheaper to purchase and apply than the mechanical alternatives. They also reduce the need for expensive repairs saving the farmer money, which makes the product more attractive.
• Increasing durability: agricultural machinery adhesives result in strong, low maintenance bonds. They also reduce the risk for corrosion by forming a seam between metal surfaces.
• Reducing weight: as adhesives are remarkably lighter in weight than mechanical, usually metal, fasteners, they reduce the vehicle´s total weight, which leads to lowered fuel consumption. There are also super fast curing solutions which are even lighter than traditional adhesives.
• Enhancing safety: some bonding systems for agricultural vehicles and construction machinery contribute to safety by improving the vehicle’s performance in crash situations.

Different applications of adhesives for agricultural machinery

In the manufacturing of construction and agricultural vehicles, adhesives play an important role in numerous applications throughout the assembly line from exterior panels to engine components and interior trim. Contact us in case you need any assistance in choosing the right adhesives for your machinery assembly line.

Adhesives for vehicle windows

One of the oldest adhesive applications in agricultural and construction machinery are direct glazing and windscreens. The bonds increase safety in crash situations, prevent galvanic corrosion and ease the production process.

The products for bonding vehicle windows include MS polymers and polyurethanes. They exist as cold, warm and hot applied products which allow for manual and automated processes. In general the application and curing processes are fast, but they can be made even faster by choosing for super fast curing solutions which do not require a primer.

Agricultural and construction machinery cabin bonding

Before painting the cabins, adhesives are applied to the framework. These contribute to safety with their impact resistance, prevent corrosion of metal parts, reduce the total weight of the vehicle, damp noise and vibration and allow for desired looks as they are paintable. They also form a perfect substrate for the paint: most of the agricultural and construction machinery adhesive solutions are heat resistant and enable later e-coat or powder coating.

The adhesives for cabin bonding of agricultural machinery exist as one and two component systems. Most often they are polyurethane epoxy hybrids which cure fast when heat is applied. They also allow for automated application processes and so ease the assembly. The cabin bonding solutions also exist as environmentally friendly solutions which do not contain solvents or PVC. These are common also in public transportation vehicles such as buses.

Trim shop adhesives for heavy machinery

Adhesives for the trim shop often come with sealing properties. They also provide design freedom and possibilities for aerodynamic design. They are paintable, impact resistant and damp noise and vibration. Additionally, they allow for efficient temperature control by forming an airtight seal which keeps the cabin temperature as wished.

Trim shop adhesives for agricultural machinery exist as thermosetting and thermoplastic materials. They are usually one and two component polyurethanes as well as 2K acrylic solutions. The same systems are suitable as construction machinery adhesive solutions as well as rail vehicles.

Structural bonding for doors and closures

The doors, hood and other closures of construction and agricultural vehicles must meet the same requirements as the cabin. Therefore, adhesives are used to improve crash performance and provide strong bonds (and seals). Additionally, these bonds are often heat resistant to the point that the parts can be e-coated or powder coated.

Structural bonding systems for doors and closures often come as flexible 2K polyurethanes, easy-to-apply and flexible 1K polyurethanes, low preparation 2K acrylic systems and polyurethane hybrids which are strong, flexible and do not require much surface preparation.

Types of agricultural and construction machinery adhesive systems

In agricultural machinery there are many types of bonds which improve reliability and durability of the finished products. Most of the adhesives within the industry are used for either reducing the use of welds and fasteners or protecting and securing flanged, threaded and cylindrical assemblies.

Weld and fastener reduction

One of the main purposes of agricultural machinery adhesive systems is to reduce the use of welds and fasteners; the same counts for construction machinery adhesive systems. Replacing mechanical bonds results in lighter vehicle weight which contributes to lower fuel consumption. The reduction of metal to metal contact reduces corrosion and so increases the overall durability and reliability of the vehicles. Moreover, adhesives allow for design freedom and more appealing aesthetics as they make no holes and the result is uniform, even paintable.
An adhesive that is increasing its popularity in vehicle assembly is methyl methacrylate, which bonds dissimilar materials and has a unique cure profile. Another innovative adhesive is one that relies on MS polymer technology.

Protecting and securing flanged, threaded & cylindrical assemblies

Adhesives play also a role in protecting and securing flanged, threaded and cylindrical assemblies as threadlocking, thread sealing, gasketing and retaining. This enables manufacturers to increase product reliability and reduce downtime and need for later maintenance.

• Threadlocking: anaerobic (in the absence of air) curing, thermosetting threadlocking solutions are applied to threads of fasteners preventing loosening.
• Thread sealing: anaerobic curing thread sealing systems fill the space between threaded parts forming an instant low pressure seal which prevents liquid and gas leakages.
• Gasketing: self-forming gaskets form the perfect seal between components providing maximum face-to-face contact and so reducing the risk for flange face corrosion.
• Retaining: anaerobic retaining compounds secure bearings, bushings and cylindrical parts making the assemblies stronger and reducing the need for maintenance and expensive repair parts.

Looking for suitable adhesives for agricultural or construction machinery?

The right construction and agricultural machinery adhesive systems are dependent on the manufacturing process, assembly line and the desired looks and performance of the finished product. Therefore, it is not always an easy choice to make. Fortunately, our specialists are always happy to help you by assisting in the process, making product suggestions and bringing you in touch with market-leading suppliers. Simply click on the contact button below and let us know more about your bonding needs.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Body panel adhesive for vehicle repairs and assembly

The development of adhesive technology allows for use of ever-smarter body panel adhesive solutions in vehicle assembly and repairs. The auto body panel adhesive systems are used throughout the transport and vehicles sector, the automotive industry being the largest user of this adhesive. The automotive panel adhesive, however, does not differ from the body panel glue applied to other vehicles in public transportation (trains and buses), road transport (trucks, ambulances, etc.) as well as heavy construction and agricultural machinery. The use of panel bond adhesive solutions remarkably speeds up assembly lines and allows for fast repairs especially there, where welded bonds are not possible or not desired. Transport vehicle and automotive body panel adhesive systems also replace conventional mechanical fasteners, and bring along multiple benefits.

The range of auto body panel adhesive systems is rather broad meaning that there are plenty of adhesives that meet the strict requirements set for the industry. They can also be tailored to fit the needs of specific vehicles and assembly lines possibly resulting in reduced waste and minimum use of the automotive body adhesive without compromising on the bond quality.

 Benefits of using auto body panel adhesive

The use of body panel adhesive systems is increasing in both vehicle production and repairs. In both types of applications they bring along many advantages, which encourages the shift from mechanical fasteners and welds towards auto body panel glue.

Assembly line adhesive makes vehicles lighter, faster and stronger

The assembly line adhesive systems are known for the following advantages:

• Lightweight: auto body panel adhesive systems are generally lighter than welds and mechanical fasteners: they can remarkably reduce the weight of a vehicle, which results in reduced fuel consumption and emissions. For example, in buses, the use of adhesives can result in weight reduction of 80 kg.
• Anti-corrosive: welded bonds and fasteners tend to rust at some point of vehicles´ lifespan. Automotive body panel adhesive solutions, like other glues, are not corrosive. In some cases they can even prevent corrosion functioning as a barrier between metal panels. Body panel adhesives contribute to increased durability of vehicles.
• Noise and vibration cancelling: automotive body adhesives effectively cancel vibration and noise caused by engines and uneven road surfaces. Due to the flexible nature of these car body adhesives, they are not affected by vibration unlike mechanical fasteners which loosen or break more easily. This is beneficial especially in public transport vehicles such as trains.
• Bonding dissimilar materials: the fact that body panel glue systems bond dissimilar materials, makes automotive panel adhesive the most used as the use of composite materials has been significantly increasing. Also other vehicles benefit from the ability to bond metals to composite materials.
• Efficiency: cost and time efficiency are strongly associated with automotive body adhesive. For vehicle assembly, car body adhesives are cheaper than fasteners as a material, and regarding application process. The application of body panel adhesives can be fully automated saving time and money.

Get to know more advantages and possible solutions for your assembly line or garage by contacting us.

Car body glue enables tricky repairs

Also in vehicle repairs, automotive body panel adhesive systems have proven to be beneficial. The following benefits come along with body adhesives in repair applications:

• Speedy repairs: body panel glues are common in garages and workshops as they allow for fast repairs. They can be applied more quickly than mechanical fasteners, and do not require specially trained personnel for application unlike welding. Due to this construction machinery and road transport vehicles can return to service faster.
• Repairing hard to reach areas: sometimes welding or fasteners are not an option due to the tricky location of the spot that requires repairing. That is where automotive body panel adhesive systems come into picture: depending on the application method, special glues can reach almost any spot that needs to be repaired.
• Repairs between dissimilar materials: another reason for welding not being an option is dissimilarity of materials. In vehicle manufacturing more and more composite materials are used, meaning that repairs of these materials has also become more frequent. Car panel adhesive systems are a suitable option regardless of the material combination.

Automotive panel adhesive applications in vehicle assembly

In vehicle assembly, car body glue is used to reduce the weight of the vehicles, give them increased protection from corrosion and speed up the production process. They are suitable for applications like body skins, roof skins and quarter panels. The most common applications of body panel glue in assembly include:

• Weatherstrip bonding: waterstripping is the way to protect vehicle interiors from the environment. The body panel adhesives used for weatherstripping must remain flexible also after curing to be able to withstand the vibration of the vehicle. They also must retain their properties in extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuation.
• Watershield bonding: Watershield is the film bonded directly to the vehicle´s door protecting electrical components from damage by water and moisture. Automotive body panel adhesives for watershield bonding exist as pre-applied and direct applied systems.

Curious for more? Send us a message to find out more beneficial panel bond adhesive systems on a wide variety of vehicles.

Car body panel glue technologies

The aforementioned applications can be carried out using several adhesive technologies. These can roughly be divided into solvent based, waterborne and hot melt adhesives. The most suitable auto body panel glue is determined by the assembly line and the product.

• Hot melt: 100% solid, environmentally friendly solutions applied using heat. These do not contain any solvents and result in minimum waste, and so are ideal automotive body panel adhesive systems.
• Waterborne: ever-developing liquid adhesives that do not contain any toxic solvents. Car body glue which is safe and fast to work with.
• Solvent based: liquid auto panel adhesives, generally considered stronger than their water based alternatives but have higher VOC values requiring safety measures to be taken.

Materials used in car body panel glues include for example MMA, polyurethane and its alternatives, rubber silicone and MS polymers. The hot melt panel bond adhesive systems are usually butyl-based or hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA).

Looking for an assembly line adhesive or car body panel adhesive for repairs?

Automotive body panel adhesives clearly come with many benefits, but which one is the right one for your assembly line, workshop or garage? If in doubt or curious for more information, do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts are determined to help you find the right adhesive system for your processes and products.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Vehicle industry benefits from high peel strength adhesive

For some time now, the automotive and transport industries have been adopting more and more adhesive technologies in order to realize vehicles that meet today´s requirements. One of the newer inventions introduces a new approach to acrylic structural adhesives: this high peel strength adhesive has also high elongation, low odor and it is prone to minimum shrinkage.

This high peel strength adhesive with exceptional elongation is based on acrylic adhesive technology, however, it takes the chemistry further and creates a unique combination of properties. This set of properties is especially appealing to vehicle manufacturing from cars and buses to trains and trucks as it supports the use of lightweight materials such as plastic and composite but is also applicable on metals.

High peel strength adhesive based on methyl methacrylate – but better

The high peel strength adhesive uses similar technology to that of methyl methacrylate adhesives (MMA). Nevertheless, it takes the chemistry a step further and offers a unique set of properties. Compared to regular acrylic structural adhesives, the innovative adhesive has optimized open and curing time which enable greater production efficiency.

This adhesive also beats the regular MMA in peel strength and elongation. Even though peel resistance of adhesives is nothing new, it becomes exciting when it is combined with high elongation. A pair of characteristics that is rarely found in one adhesive.

Long term benefits with acrylic structural adhesive

Next to the couple of advantages over regular methyl methacrylate, the high peel strength adhesive comes with more benefits which can positively influence the production on the long run.

• Lightweight vehicles: the acrylic high peel strength adhesive allows for lightweight vehicle production as it is lighter than fasteners and welds, and bonds lightweight materials such as aluminum, (thermo)plastics and different composite materials. The adhesive can also replace welded bonds between metals.
• User friendliness: this adhesive is use friendly in many areas: it can be applied after minimum surface preparation and without a primer, unlike other MMA´s it has very low odor and it also changes color to indicate the stage of cure.
  Increased efficiency: rather fast curing (8 to 11 minutes) together with the optimized working time and curing time ratio this adhesive can be applied keeping the cycle times short which leads to higher efficiency than what could be achieved with other acrylic adhesives.
• Versatile application possibilities: the adhesive is suitable for both manual and automated applications. As the focus has been laid on the rheology of each component, a manual gun can be used. On the other hand the optimized open and curing times allow for process automation.
• Unique technical properties for specific applications: the combination of exceptional peel resistance (14 N/mm) and high elongation (about 90%) alone make the adhesive unique. However, it has other characteristics which make it suitable for specified applications: extremely low shrinkage, sag resistance and not boiling when filling large gaps make the high peel strength adhesive ideal for large composite substrates.
• Product quality: this acrylic adhesive also has an impact on the quality of the vehicles: due to its flexibility it absorbs shocks and damps vibration, which increases comfort of the finished products. Next to that, the adhesive also contributes to the aesthetic aspects of quality: it has a very low read through, which means that it is a desired solution for visible applications especially in the automotive industry.

Need high peel strength adhesive?

Acrylic adhesives are very common in the transport and automotive industries and the range of available solutions can be frustratingly broad. Whether you are looking for a regular MMA solution or a more specific system such as high peel strength adhesive, do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts are happy to help you find the adhesive your products and process deserve. Hit the button below and get in touch!

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Electric vehicle battery bonding – the choice between adhesives and mechanical fasteners

Gas-driven car and electric vehicle batteries traditionally have relied on mechanical fasteners. However, in some gas-drive batteries, adhesives are replacing the nuts and bolts. Although the batteries are different from each other, and not inter-replaceable, similar adhesives are applicable in electric vehicle battery bonding. The application of adhesives helps extend the haul between charges, which is necessary in vehicles that fully rely on batteries.

The unique construction of EV batteries

EV and hybrid batteries are far more complex than six-cell, thin-walled 12 volt batteries that enable starting a gas-driven engine. Here the battery gives a brief bolt of energy before fuel and spark ignited combustion take over. In electric vehicles all the energy needed for the vehicle must come from the battery.

EV batteries consist of series of multiple cells and thick walls. They have pack voltage of 100-200V in hybrids and 400-800V in electric vehicles. They also must have as large an energy capacity as possible to extend the distance between recharges to the maximum.

Adhesives for electric vehicle batteries win with light weight

The challenge the electric vehicle batteries are facing has two sides: the batteries must be as efficient as possible with a large energy capacity. On the other hand, at the same time the vehicles must be as lightweight as possible. This where replacing mechanical fasteners with adhesives can play an important role: they are more suitable for the assembly of the new type of batteries. Additionally adhesives for electric vehicle batteries are significantly lighter in weight than mechanical fasteners, and contribute to the weight reduction of the entire vehicle. Providing better gap control, adhesives also effectively bond dissimilar materials, which is a big pro in the vehicle industry.

Rail industry adhesives and sealants for safety and comfort on railways

Safety, comfort, durability and effficiency are key factors in manufacturing railway vehicles such as trains, trams and underground trains. Among other materials, adhesives and sealants play a crucial role in the production process and finished product. Sealants and adhesives for rail transport are used in the interiors and exteriors of rail vehicles throughout their lifecycle from design and production to field service and maintenance. These products can be used for sealing and bonding all railway vehicles from high speed trains to railcars of light rail transit.

The main task of rail industry adhesives and sealants is to make the manufacturing process faster and the vehicles safer. The wished results can be obtained with for example specialist rail industry silicones, MS polymers, contact adhesives and 2K polyurethanes depending on the application.

The uses of sealants and adhesives in railway vehicles

Adhesives and sealants bond and seal plastics, glass and metal in railway vehicles such as trains and trams. The products can roughly be divided into sealants, adhesive sealants and adhesives. The adhesive sealants are the newest addition, and include products with superior sealing and light adhesive properties.

Sealant and adhesive materials for rail exterior

Sealant and adhesive materials for rail exterior protect joints, overlaps and seams as well as fill gaps and cracks in repair applications. They also used in body structure assembly, exterior panel bonding and other applications replacing mechanical fasteners and welded bonds. The most common applications of sealants and adhesive materials for railcar exterior include the following.

• Door sealing: keeping moisture and wind outside is an important job carried out by rail sealants. These sealants are often flexible systems which are resistant to water and weather.
• Sealing and bonding direct glazing: adhesives and sealants for windows are the oldest chemical means of bonding and sealing known to the rail industry. Now adhesives and sealants are used for windhields and windows in rail vehicles with all designs and speeds.
• Railcar exterior panel bonding: exterior panel bonding with adhesives is the application that results in the greatest weight reduction compared to panels bonded using mechanical fasteners.
• Bonding other exterior components such as antennas: rail industry adhesives are suitable for a wide range of applications are more are being developed. Attaching antennas during assembly or afterwards is one of the more innovative applications.

Sealant and adhesive materials for rail interior

Sealants and adhesive materials are also commonly applied to railcar interiors. Not only do they contribute to on board comfort but also guarantee safety. Next to cancelling noise and vibration some sealant and adhesive materials for rail interior are fire resistant. The adhesive and sealant applications in rail car interiors include:

• Interior sealing and fire protection: sealing rail interior components is doen by products specificall designed for the job. These sealants know many chemistries, MS polymers being one of them.
• Floor bonding: special adhesives are used to bond rail vehicle floors. These may contribute to fire safety of the vehicle.
• Bonding seats: bringing additional comfort and visual appeal, special adhesives are used to bond seat upholstery. One of the adhesives involved in making vehicle seats is methyl methacrylate (MMA).
• Sealing joints between walls and floors: rail sealants make joints impermeable to moisture and protect the joints as well as resulting in a neat seam.

The requirements of sealants and adhesives for rail transport

Trains, trams and underground trains are subject to harsh environments created by changing weather conditions, vibration and continuous use. Therefore, sealants and adhesives for rail transport must meet the requirements set by the environment; they must be:

• Shock resistant: as the travel on the rails together with the track switches may cause vibration, it is of high importance that the bonds and seals do not break. Therefore, they must be strong and flexible.
• Electrically insulating: for some applications, it is paramount in regards of safety that the adhesives and sealants do not conduct electricity or that they completely insulate electrical charge.
• Weather resistant: especially adhesives and sealants for exterior materials need to be weather resistant: they must endure temperature fluctuation, rain and UV radiation without being affected. Flexibility, UV stability and water resistance are characteristics to choose for: let us challenge you to come in contact with the strongest UV protected adhesive for the longest lifespan.
• Visually appealing: trains, trams and underground trains serve as means for public transportation meaning that the visual aspects must not be ignored. Fortunately, most adhesives and sealants form a neat, equal surface which can even be over coated in order to alter the aesthetics.
• Time and cost efficient: rail vehicles act as an irreplaceable part of the transportation business, and in business time is money. Therefore, the application of adhesives and sealants should be fast, yet it should lead to a highly durable result which does not require frequent maintenance or repairs.
• Contributing to safety: depending on the application, there are sealants and adhesives that are certified and tested for example for fire safety, crash situations, durability in harsh environments and sustainability. The certificates are taken a closer look at later on in this article.

How rail industry adhesives and sealants compare to alternatives

The great advantage of sealants and adhesives is that they tend to be lighter in weight and greater in strength compared to their alternatives such as welded bonds. However, high quality adhesives and sealants beat the alternatives also in other measures.

• Strength: compared to welded bonds and fasteners, adhesives and sealants are less likely to break due to their flexibility and immunity to hazards such as corrosion.
• Eco-friendliness: even though sealants and adhesives are chemicals, there are also environmentally friendly solutions that do not contain isocyanates, silicone, halogens or solvents.
• Application: compared to for example welding, the application of adhesives and sealants is by far not as laborious. The application possibilities are also broader: bonds and seals can be created by brush, spray, spreading, wheel, web coating, beads and dots as well as other functional methods.
• Visual appeal: most sealant and adhesive products are available in various colors and if not, they can often be over coated to match the wished visual end result.
• Durability: sealants and adhesives are not affected by corrosion, hence they last longer in harsh environments than traditional fasteners and welded bonds.

Save time and money, improve process efficiency, get a stronger and eco friendly result that has increased visual appeal and durability with the best solutions for rail transport and vehicles. Do you want to profit from the advantages of the best adhesives and sealants?

Certification of adhesives and sealants for rail transport

Wherever safety is the priority, certificates and standards play an important role. This is true also for the rail transports and manufacture of railway vehicles. Therefore, to guarantee safety and compliance with regulations, choose for products that have the certificates relevant for your application. Below you can find some of these regarding sealants and adhesives in rail transport. EN 45545 – 2 is the newest European standard for fire testing in rail transport. The adhesives and sealants fall under requirement sets R22 and R23 that cover requirements for interior seals, inductance coils, coils and contacts. The standard assesses products for three hazard levels, the lowest requirements being HL1 and the highest HL3. Bonds and seals can be made to comply with all three hazards levels: HL1, HL2 and HL3 to guarantee the safety of passengers and staff during onboard fire. Are your materials up to current, higher standards? Let us connect you with a system that meets and exceeds the set requirements!

Important certificates for adhesives and sealants for rail transport

FMVSS 212 stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard: windshield mounting. This standard assesses the strength and durability of windshield (and window) mounting in crash situation. As the train windshields and windows are often glued and sealed using sealants and adhesives, their behavior in such situations is tested.

DNV GL provides functional safety for rail industry. DNV GL is a certification body that assesses, among others, products for rail transport according to several European and international standards. For rail transport these include reliability, availability, maintainability and safety, software and system safety. DNV GL certified sealants and adhesives are thus up to standards.

WheelMark indicates durability in harsh environments. Some adhesive and sealant products for rail transport can be certified according to the Maritime Equipment Directive set by the EU, due to the fact that similar or same products are durable enough to be used in ship building and repair, as well. These harsh environment adhesive systems are useful also in train exterior assemblies.

ISEGA assures that products are safe to be used in the preparation, processing, treatment, packing, transport and distribution of food. These products must have the lowest risk of contamination, and other hazards. Therefore, the ISEGA certification, together with HACCP, is crucial especially for sealing and bonding products used in railway vehicles that transport food.

Sealants and adhesives for rail transport are one click away

In case your project is in need of a suitable sealants and adhesives for rail transport, please contact us. Our specialists will assist you in finding the right adhesive or sealant for the specific purpose. By contacting us you can also enquire for more information on the possibilities, assistance in application as well as adhesive and sealant training. Our experts are happy to help.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

MMA adhesive becoming irreplaceable in transport vehicle assembly

The transport sector has traditionally relied on metal as well as fasteners and welded bonds, however, the desire to produce lightweight, economical vehicles in fast paced assembly lines has led to an increased use of plastics, composite materials and adhesives. One of the adhesives that has become nearly irreplaceable in transport vehicle assembly is MMA adhesive which effectively bonds metal, plastics and composite materials in any combination.

MMA (methyl methacrylate) adhesive belongs to the group of structural adhesives. It usually consists of two parts, resin and hardener, and it has numerous properties that benefit that automotive and transport sectors. This two component adhesive not only bonds dissimilar materials but also remarkably reduces the weight of the vehicles.

Beneficial MMA adhesive properties

Methyl methacrylate bonding is used across industries due to its many unique properties. These adhesive systems combine the strength of structural adhesives with a flexible cure profile which together provide high strength and a longer workable time allowing for application over large surfaces and bonding dissimilar materials. These MMA adhesive properties are beneficial in multiple industries, including automotive and transport.

Methyl methacrylate bonding in transport vehicles

The MMA adhesive properties that are beneficial for the transport sector in particular, range from fast application and cure to flexibility and strength. Methyl methacrylate bonding is suitable for various applications in heavy trucks, rail vehicles, buses as well as agricultural and construction machinery including bumpers, deflectors, roofs, blades, composite tanks, vehicle seats, interior body panel structures and instrument panels.

Depending on the MMA adhesive formulation, the beneficial properties brought along include:

• Faster production: methyl methacrylate adhesives adhere fast, allow for adjustments and reach complete cure in 4-24 hours in room temperature.
• Chemical resistance: MMA adhesives are insensitive to many chemicals present in a vehicle assembly line including grease, oil and fuels.
• Minimum surface preparation: MMA adhesives are among the few solutions that do not require much (if any) surface preparation. This makes the assembly line even more efficient.
• Lightweight: as the transport sector is continuously looking for lighter materials, MMA adhesives offer an excellent solution: they effectively replace mechanical fasteners reducing the weight of the finished vehicles.
• Equal stress distribution: as adhesives are applied over the entire length of the bond, the stress is distributed equally, which leads to increased durability of the bond.
• Smooth bonds: from an aesthetic point of view, MMA adhesives result in smoother bonds than mechanical fasteners and most other adhesives. They reduce bond line read through (BLRT).
• Paintability: crucial for vehicle assembly, MMA adhesives are paintable and even withstand high temperatures involved in powder coating and electron coating.
• Strength: methyl methacrylate adhesives are known for their strength: after having reached the state of final cure they have the strength of 80 to 90% of the one of epoxy adhesives.
• Gap filling capability: many of these adhesives are capable of filling gaps. The extent of the capability is dependent on the MMA adhesive formulation.
• Heat resistance: the high temperature resistance of these adhesives is usually up to 120°C on a long term. Most of the adhesives can withstand peaks of higher temperatures.
• Impact and peel resistance: MMA glues have good impact resistance and excellent peel resistance. They also contribute to the safety of vehicles by having a good crash resistance.

Finding the product with the most suitable set of MMA adhesive properties is not always an easy job: contact us for more information on available systems, reliable manufacturers and latest developments in the MMA adhesives market.

About methyl methacrylate adhesive formulation

By definition methyl methacrylate adhesives are reactive acrylic adhesives which share properties with other structural adhesives. MMA glue systems are almost predominantly two component systems which consist of a resin and a hardener. In methyl methacrylate adhesives a peroxide based activator together with amines forms a free radical that initiates the radical polymerization of methacrylate.

One of the most important benefits of methyl methacrylate adhesive formulation is that it can be modified to suit specific applications. The methyl methacrylate bonding is often preferred due to its unique strength forming and curing processes: rather than slowly building up strength during the process, the adhesive remains workable and then cures into a fixture strength in a matter of minutes. Changing the MMA adhesive formulation and mixing rate allows for modification of the workable time and curing time.

Developments in the MMA adhesives market

Methyl methacrylate adhesives have taken a solid role in the transport and automotive industries as the chemical bonding material that allows for use of lightweight dissimilar materials as well as creates strong bonds in many applications. Regarding these adhesives, the fastest growing sector is projected to be composite materials, and the most demand is likely to come from automotive and transport sectors including road transport. This is due to the desire to produce lightweight, low carbon emitting vehicles. MMA adhesive properties benefit vehicle components, interiors and exteriors.

Get in touch with reliable MMA adhesive manufacturers

Although methyl methacrylate bonding is extremely common in automotive and transport sectors, there are differences between the MMA adhesive manufacturers and their products. In case you are in need of an adhesive system or are looking to challenge your current supplier, contact us and let us find you the MMA adhesive that benefits your process the most.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles

Light rail and underground rails benefit from adhesives and sealants

Faster, safer, stronger and greener are all areas where light rail transit and underground trains (subway) must continuously improve. Adhesives and sealants for light rail and underground trains can help on all these areas as they increase comfort, make vehicles safer, for strong bonds and seams as well as offer sustainable alternatives for mechanical fasteners.

• Faster: adhesives and sealants allow for faster assembly of light rail and underground trains but also contribute to the aerodynamic design and weight of the vehicles.
• Safer: fire resistance, crash performance and vibration damping can all be increased by choosing the right adhesives and sealants for light rail and underground trains.
• Stronger: the corrosion risk is remarkably reduced when glues and sealants are used as they prevent metal to metal contact, which makes the vehicles stronger. Adhesives and sealants also distribute the stress equally on the joint unlike mechanical fasteners such as screws.
• Greener: adhesives and sealants reduce the weight of vehicles and allow for more aerodynamic designs, which reduces the power consumption. They also allow for more efficient manufacturing process requiring less resources.

Requirements for adhesives and sealants for light rail and underground trains

Light rail and underground trains are often subject to harsh environments as they are exposed to the elements and almost continuously on the move. Adhesives and sealants for light rail and underground trains must meet some requirements in order to guarantee durability and long service life. These include:

• Weather resistance:especially the adhesives and sealants applied to the exterior surfaces of light rail and underground trains must be weather resistant. The must be water and air tight as well as UV resistant.
• Electrical insulation:to guarantee safety on board, some bonds and seams must not conduct electricity. Some of them must be completely electrically insulating.
• Shock resistance: as the ride may not always be the smoothest, the adhesives and sealants must be strong and flexible enough not to break for example during a rough rail switch. Adhesives and sealants also damp noise and vibration.

Note that light rail transit and underground trains additionally must meet several standards set for rail transport vehicles.

Adhesives and sealants for glazing and interior trim, and everything in between

Adhesives and sealants are used on every stage of the life span of light rail transit and underground trains from design and manufacturing to repairs and maintenance. The seams and bonds are required of improved safety, comfort and durability. Below we introduce some of the adhesive and sealants applications that take place in the manufacturing of light rail and underground trains.

• Body structure: in the assembly of light rail and underground train body structures adhesives prevent corrosion, water ingress and standing water. The also damp noise and vibration. MS polymers as well as polyurethane and epoxy hybrids are common systems for body structures.
• Roof bonding: the roofs of light rail and underground trains require flexible bonding and sealing solutions which are not affected by weather or temperature fluctuations. Usually fast curing two component systems are preferred.
• Floors and side panels:durability and safety are among the most important requirements as regards vehicles. The ones for floors and side panels contribute to safety in crash situations and comfort during the ride. Elastic polyurethane adhesives are most commonly used.
• Interior trim: the plastics and fabrics in interior trim require eco-friendly bonding solutions which contribute visual appeal and increase comfort. Although water based adhesives are common, hot melt adhesives are the most used solutions.
• Direct glazing: sealants and adhesives for direct glazing contribute to process efficiency by providing fast curing and high initial tack. Silicone, MS polymer and polyurethane based systems are common.

Looking for the perfect solutions for light rail and underground trains?

The transport and vehicles industry is continuously developing and new adhesive and sealant solutions are frequently introduced. In case you are looking for sealing and bonding solutions to improve the product or the process, contact us and let us find the best adhesives and sealants for your light rail transit or underground trains.

Contact us

Discover more solutions for transport & vehicles