Archive for category: News

New fast curing adhesive challenges trusted systems

The adhesive market has recently been shaken by the entry of a new fast curing adhesive which challenges trusted bonding solutions such as epoxy and polyurethane. What makes this new adhesive revolutionary is its extremely reactive nature which allows curing within 2 seconds at its fastest. This fast curing glue is versatile and can be applied manually, integrated into an automatic application system or even injected into lightweight materials

The rapid cure adhesive has properties beyond short curing time

Not only is the new rapid cure adhesive unprecedentedly fast drying but it also provides bonds of sufficient strength while only a small amount of glue is applied. The adhesive is also very light compared to other structural adhesives. Additionally, properties such as wide operating temperature range, elasticity and curing at room temperature bring along long term benefits for various industries. Cost reduction, increased process efficiency and reduced carbon footprint are goals the strong, fast drying glue can help to reach.

From local reinforcement to structural fastener bonding with fast curing glue

As the fast curing adhesive is new to the market, new opportunities and applications emerge frequently. Currently, the adhesive is used in the automotive industry and furniture making. Additionally, its suitability to aerospace applications has been confirmed.

Structural bonding of fasteners, reinforcing lightweight materials (such as honeycomb and sandwich materials) and bonding different composite materials are all applications the new fast curing glue is made for in vehicle assembly. On the other hand, the fast drying adhesive can be used to create anchors and local reinforcements for wood based panels. This makes the adhesive ideal for producing lightweight, sustainable furniture.

The future of the fast curing adhesive seems bright. It provides durable solutions at lower costs than alternative adhesives and leaves room for innovative applications. All thanks to one chemistry – polyurea.

Adhesive manufacturers support healthcare by helping out suppliers

After the breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic, it seemed as though no one was prepared. Despite all the stress the situation is putting on businesses and their team members, also new opportunities have emerged. Many businesses have adjusted their products and processes in order to support healthcare the best they can. Adhesives manufacturers have proven to be a great support for these businesses as they help guarantee the production of as many quality products as possible in a short period of time. With the help of adhesive manufacturers healthcare can now rely on a larger supply of personal protection equipment (PPE).

More equipment to healthcare thanks to adhesive technology

Up until now many manufacturing businesses have already adjusted their products and operations to allow them to provide healthcare with much needed personal protection equipment. However, this has required changes in the production process, which in many cases has proven the process inefficient. In order to increase the efficiency some adhesive manufacturers have stepped in to provide the businesses with their knowledge of adhesive technology as well as suitable application equipment and adhesive systems.

A real life example

Systematics, a manufacturer that specialized in displays, signage, fixtures, and kiosks, recently adjusted their operations and started using their production facilities to make face shields, intubation safety boxes and safety partitions. At first, they made the personal protection equipment by hand using a hot glue gun. However, they soon realized the production could be faster and received help from an adhesive manufacturer Chicago Glues which promised to help them increase efficiency by leveraging adhesive technology.

Chicago Glues introduced automatic equipment and conveyor belts to Systematics,which allowed them to double their face shield production. Systematics is now producing about 6000 face shields per production line per shift whereas they used to make a total of 3000 shields during one shift. Read the full case study here.

New wash-off labeling adhesive – sustainable and easy to wash off

A cooperation between Schäfer-etiketten, Polifilm and HERMA, a labeling specialist has resulted in a sustainable and easy to wash off label for shampoo bottles. The label is consists of recycled household plastic packaging waste and it uses a new type of wash-off adhesive. It earned a nomination for the Product Technology Innovation category of the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe. The label has also drawn the attention of the large drugstore chain dm-drogerie markt.

An improved label made of recycled household plastic packaging waste

Aiming at creating a closed material cycle for Polyolefin (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) packaging, the new label outnumbers the one that won last year´s German Packaging Prize. The three companies first developed a label using both domestic and industrial plastic packaging waste as building material. Since some of the packaging was recycled with labels intact, the product may have contained inks and varnishes. Fortunately, this is not the case with wash-off labeling adhesive. This adhesive is applied as any other self adhesive PSA in the labels industry.

Wash-off labeling adhesives increases recyclability of PE and PP packaging

The new label is made entirely of PE packaging. It is attached using a wash-off labeling adhesive which can be easily removed (washed off) during the recycling process. Similarly to alkali soluble labeling adhesives, this leaves the shampoo bottle without a trace of glue residue. The clean removal of the label makes the bottle high quality material for further recycling purposes. The label can simply be removed from the recycling stream.

Latest light curing adhesive technology enables faster production

Many industries make use of one or two component adhesives in order to realize the bonds required by their manufacturing processes. However, the process is slowed down as single component products need 30 minutes to an hour and a half to reach final strength when heat curing is used. 2K products do not ease the problem, on the contrary, some of them may even cause a 24 hour delay in production due to slow curing. Fortunately, the development of light curing adhesive technology allows for new and faster solutions enabling more efficient production. In some cases full cure of light curing adhesives can be reached within a single second.

Light curing adhesives are not necessarily a type of adhesives but rather describes a curing process. These adhesives cure when they are exposed to UV and/or visible light. The chemistry of the adhesive supports the process.

4 areas where light curing technology has improved

Light curing adhesive technology has struggled with trust issues regarding strength and reliability. However, this only encouraged the development of improved chemistries behind light cure products. Now light curing technology can be used on a wider range of materials in terms of both: substrates and adhesives. The technology is also continuously being developed to ensure flawless and complete curing while speeding up the manufacturing cycle.

1. Dual-curing and adjusted formulation

One of the technological developments in light curing adhesives is the use of dual-curing products which reduce the chance of shadow areas left uncured. Other developments, in turn, target necessary adaptations in the adhesive formulation to enable wider use of light curing adhesives in industries such as transport vehicle assembly.

2. Light curing also for opaque adhesives

Light curing used to be an option only for transparent adhesives, nevertheless, also opaque systems can now benefit from light curing technology: the required layer thickness has been addressed in order to reach successful light cure of black adhesives. Additionally, humidity curing portion has been added to trigger crosslinking even in shadow areas. This allows for better light cure in applications such as public transport vehicle panel bonding.

3. Pre-activation with light curing adhesive technology

When bonding opaque materials which do not let the light reach the adhesive, pre-activation can be beneficial and save time. The pre-activation is done by applying the adhesive to only one of the substrates and immediately irradiating it prior to joining to the other substrate.

4. Development of light sources

The light curing adhesive technology has also been approached from the bright side: high intensity LED curing lamps have successfully sped up the adhesive cycle thanks to the on-going improvements of light curing adhesive technologies. This remarkably increases the spped of manufacturing cycles of for instance rail vehicle body structures.

A look back at 2019 adhesive and sealant innovations

2019 has been an interesting year for the adhesives and sealants industry: many new and innovative products were introduced, numerous sectors experienced growth and new materials were discovered. These all show a certain direction to the industry: more sustainable and greener products and raw materials. To wrap up 2019, Adhesivesmag has created a list of top 10 adhesive and sealant innovations based on their readers´ choices. Also the top 10 list shows that biobased and hot melt adhesives are growing in popularity as green adhesive and sealant solutions.

Top 10 adhesive and sealant innovations in 2019 according to Adhesivesmag

The top 10 adhesive and sealant innovations list published by Adhesivesmag includes the following products and manufacturers. The original list is available on the website of Adhesivesmag.

Biobased hot melt adhesive by Jowat

Jowatherm® GROW biobased hotmelt adhesives were introduced by Jowat in the fall 2019. According to the manufacturer these adhesives are made for environmentally friendly bonding in packaging and they have a high content of renewable materials. In fact, the biobased materials reportedly account for over 30% of the formula.

These biobased hotmelt adhesives are a green option which increases efficiency and process cleanliness. They also increase safety during application and keep the machinery clean resulting in less need for maintenance. The precise application of these adhesives contributes to reduced waste.

Hot melt adhesives for consumer packaged goods by H.B. Fuller

Advantra Warrior™ is the newest addition to H.B. Fuller´s Advantra® line. According to the manufacturer it is versatile in many environments and case and carton sealing applications. Its unique polymer technology makes it resistant to temperature extremes, and therefore, suitable for packaging that may be exposed to freezer or heated conditions throughout the supply chain. This hot melt adhesive was introduced to the North American market in the summer 2019.

GLYMO free packaging adhesive by Henkel

Loctite Liofol LA 2798, introduced by Henkel in the summer 2019, is an adhesive suitable for high performance packaging involving for instance sterilization. This adhesive foil is entirely free of (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO), epoxy silane, and heavy metals. Additionally, the adhesive base does not contain substances such as neopentyl glycol (NPG), hexanediol, tin, and bisphenol A (BPA), making it safe for fatty foodstuffs, oily acids, and alcoholic substances.

Latex for pressure sensitive adhesives by Arkema

Arkema´s new ENCOR 9215 latex is a tackified acrylic adhesive formulated for high-speed coating. This latex is designed specially for labeling applications and it allows for high speed production. According to Arkema it is intended for permanent paper labels which require excellent adhesion to corrugated cardboard. It is suitable for a variety of machines and equipment, and it can be customized based on specific customer needs.

Adhesive recycling by Henkel

In 2019, Henkel announced that it goes on with the Recycling Program, realized together with TerraCycle. The big news last year was that additive manufacturing customers are now offered recycling options across the Loctite® brands. The cooperation of the two companies, according to Henkel, reflects their commitment to sustainability and their tradition of transforming manufacturing processes in numerous industries.

The Adhesive Recycling Program was reportedly the first in the world to offer recycling solutions for anaerobic packaging solutions. Later the options have become available for light cure adhesives, instant adhesives and cyanoacrylates, all used in packaging. Also 3D printing operations are provided with a recycling container where used packaging of 3D resins and cyanoacrylate based adhesives are collected to be later recycled by TerraCycle.

RFID blocking material by Avery Dennison

ShieldSense™ is the newest innovation by Avery Dennison Performance Tapes. ShieldSense is a RFID blocking material which is lightweight and easy to apply aluminum foil material. According to Avery Dennison, the foil allows retailers to maximize effectiveness of RFID enabled inventory systems by isolating waves within different environments.

ShieldDense can be applied to walls and doors creating a barrier that blocks RFID waves from traveling between locations such as from retail floor to stockroom. This will reportedly give retailers a clearer view of their inventory location within the store. The foil, therefore, allows for fast price adjustments, easy identification of inventory inaccuracies and stock replenishment.

Polyurethane sealant by Chemique Adhesives

In the beginning of 2019, Chemique Adhesives introduced its new polyurethane compound which is suitable for bonding and sealing applications in numerous industries including transport, construction, modular construction and commercial manufacturing.

According to Chemique Adhesives Bondseal 1128 uses a new advanced formulation which improves the rheology and lowers the isocyanate content for ease of application, slump resistance, and better product safety. The sealant is easy to apply using a standard cartridge caulking gun.

Silicone adhesive for transportation vehicle assembly by Dow

In 2019 Dow brought into the market a revolutionary silicone adhesive solution for transportation assembly. DOWSIL™ EA-4700 CV adhesive is capable of curing in room temperature at faster speed, yet it still maintains the performance advantages brought along by silicone adhesives. This adhesive adheres to most metals and plastics used in electronics assembly.

Pressure sensitive adhesive for medical sector by Ashland

Aroset™ Gentle 700, by Ashland, is a medical pressure sensitive adhesive which was introduced in February 2019. This medical adhesive was developed for medical use as it is skin friendly, has good breathability and keeps the pain and discomfort to the minimum upon removal. The product is suitable for both medical device industry and wound care applications.

Commercial vehicle tape by 3M

3M announced that their commercial vehicle product line expands by a new product: CV90F. The addition was to the 3M™ VHB™ commercial vehicle tape family. The new product reportedly provides a good balance of strength and conformability with gray multipurpose adhesive and conformable acrylic foam core. It also allows for use in applications that require higher gap tolerance and allowance for shear train movement due to thermal expansion.

The vehicle tape provides virtually invisible bonds and keeps the surface smooth. The product is recommended for tall side panels and bonding roof panels as it creates a permanent seal against water and moisture. Additionally, in high speeds it experiences 31% less vibration and is 40% quieter than sidewalls that use mechanical fasteners.

Other adhesives innovations of 2019

The innovations that ended up on the top 10 list are not the only inventions that deserve to be mentioned. 2019 was an interesting year for the adhesives market: innovations such as thermally conductive adhesive for heat generating components and a glue that debonds in magnetic fields were introduced. Additionally, research has shown improvements in light curing adhesive technology which may well result in innovations to be seen in 2020.

As for AdhesivePlatform, a platform dedicated for the North American market was launched to broaden the reach and connect supply and demand of adhesives and sealants also locally.

Coming in 2020 – superior pre-mixed grout for tiles

LATICRETE has announced to bring a superior pre-mixed grout to the market in the beginning of 2020. Even though, pre mixed grout systems do not have the best of reputations when it comes to tile and stone applications in wet and humid areas, this new grout is described as durable, easy to apply and as strong as epoxy grout. The pre-mixed system is claimed to be evolutionary, as it can be applied to seams between tiles and stones in showers, other wet areas and even pools without the risk of discoloration or soft seams.

Fast and easy tiling with pre-mixed grout

Carrying the name Spectralock 1, the system is based on a trusted multi component system by LATICRETE. The new pre-mixed grout, however, will make the time consuming mixing and time sensitive application of epoxy based systems in the past. Steam resistant, stain proof and chemical resistant, Spectralock 1 does not contain any epoxy resins, making it more environmentally friendly and less likely to cause allergic reactions.

The first pre-mixed system that complies with ANSI 118.3

Now for the first time ever a pre-mixed grouting system meets the requirements set in ANSI 118.3, the American National Standard specifications for chemical resistant, water cleanable tile setting and grouting epoxy. Spectralock 1 has been tested for shear strength, compressive strength, tensile strength and thermal shock, and it is claimed to exceed the norms.

Due to the compliance with ANSI 118.3, the new pre-mixed grout for tiles is also approved for commercial applications. According to the manufacturer, the system will be available in the late first quarter of 2020. Watch the video below to get a taste of this new release.

Boost in demand for 2K polysulfide sealants market

In 2018, the worth of the global polysulfide sealants market was over a billion dollars, and the market is still growing at a significant rate. In the period 2019-2029, sizable opportunities are expected, especially regarding 2 component polysulfide sealants which account for more than 70% of the consumption of global polysulfide sealants.

Polysulfide sealants for civil engineering & infrastructure grow fastest

The fastest growing segment of 2K polysulfide sealants is forecast to be civil engineering and infrastructure as well as commercial applications. These are expected to account for three quarters of the total volume. The applications include bridges, roads and tunnels as well as airports, ports, landfill construction and parking garages.

East Asia and mature markets dominate the growth

Geographically seen, the most growth in polysulfide sealants is likely to take place in East Asia which reportedly is a top-consuming market. Other geographical markets where the consumption of polysulfide sealants is expected to be high are the more mature ones: North America and Europe which together are projected to generate $200 million over the forecast period. Additionally, fast paced construction activities and developments in infrastructure in emerging markets such as China and India are likely to boost the demand for and growth of polysulfide sealants.

Tannic acid in adhesives researched by Purdue University

Currently, tannic acid is used in numerous sectors such as leather tannic, medical treatments, ink manufacture and as flavoring for some beverages. In the US, Purdue University has recently conducted research on the substance and concluded that tannic acid hardeners could provide adhesives, coatings and composite materials with beneficial properties. According to the researchers, the acid could also contribute to lower costs and process sustainability.

Contribution to adhesive sustainability

Tannic acid would be used as a hardener to the polymers in adhesives and coatings in order to allow for stability and rigidity in high temperature environments. The researchers report that using tannic acid hardeners would also reduce the material cost as well as add to the durability of adhesives, coatings and composite materials. At the same time, the environmental impact of adhesives, structural composites, insulating materials, coatings and electronic components which use epoxy polymer would be decreased.

Lijm Event brings all aspects of industrial bonding together

It is time for the 6th edition of the Lijm Event! The event is organized by Dutch Mikrocentrum, and it focuses on industrial adhesive bonding. The event brings together distributors and manufacturers of industrial adhesive systems, research and educational institutions as well as surface treatment and material processing professionals. The event offers complete overview of pros and cons of industrial adhesive bonding.

Industrial adhesives are used in ever wider variety of applications. Therefore, it is crucial for the engineers to make the right choice of bonding system. If you are curious about which adhesive system is the best for your project, or want to know how industrial glues are processed, make sure to attend the Lijm Event on October 1st 2019!

Industrial adhesive bonding solutions become more and more important

For the past years industrial adhesive bonding has gained more ground in general and specific applications. This is not a wonder as adhesives make invisible bonds, speed up processes, are cheaper and easier to process than mechanical fasteners and effectively bond dissimilar materials. Especially in metal bonding applications adhesives prevent corrosion and can remarkable reduce the weight of the finished product.

However, to choose the most suitable adhesive for a specific application, one must be aware of all ins and outs of the product and process. At Lijm Event you have the chance to listen to professional speakers, discover the industrial adhesives and bonding processes as well as broaden your network.

Professional speakers and international exhibitors

The Lijm Event offers a unique opportunity to learn from the top players of the industry. Speakers from different organizations share their knowledge about a great variety of topics including adhesive durability testing, underwater gluing, importance of controlled adhesive application and many more hot topics of the moment.

Next to the speakers numerous international exhibitors are present in Lijm Event. These include Sika, Nordson and 3M, Mavom, Flanders Make and many more organization which activities are adhesive-related. During the event, the organizations give pitches and present their products and latest innovations in the areas of adhesives, industrial bonding and adhesive processing.

Get your tickets to Lijm Event and learn all about industrial adhesive bonding

In 2019, Lijm Event takes place on the 1st of October in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. Get more information and purchase your tickets on Mikrocentrum’s website.

About the organizer Mikrocentrum

Mikrocentrum is a Dutch organization which offers assistance in increasing knowledge, expanding networks, improving business processes and strengthening competitive position of companies. Their key activities include training, events and business.

Mikrocentrum offers over 150 course titles at intermediate vocational, higher vocational and academic levels. They also organize nine large trade fairs annually focussing on product and company presentation, lectures and networking. Lijm Event is one of these big events.

High Tech Platform is maintained by Mikrocentrum, and it offers organizations the opportunity to gain more visibility and expand their commercial technology network. Currently High tech Platform has over 600 member companies.

Silky feel and abrasion resistance developed by DSM

A new resin provides soft touch and abrasion resistance for packaging while decreasing the need for additives to create haptic properties. This new silky-feel resin has been developed by Royal DSM, Netherlands global-science company, and added to their Skins Silky family which consists of products that create silky feel for packaging.

AgiSyn 248 allows for wider range of end-user applications

AgiSyn 248 is the newest addition to the company´s Skins Silky soft resin range which allows for chemical and abrasion resistant packaging made of different materials. The new product brings exceptional soft touch and abrasion resistance for packaging and allows for an even wider range of end-user applications.

According to DSM, when combined with a matting agent and cured by UV light, the low viscosity water based resin, AgiSyn 348, results in a silky feel on screen overprint and flexographic varnishes which is generated within the resin´s own structure rather than created by additives. This resin could also be used in the adhesive film market.

New sealant for repairing concrete when the time is limited

Concrete surfaces are durable, but may occasionally suffer from splits, cracks and spalls affecting the safety and appearance of the surface. A new fast-drying sealant has been developed to quickly repair that kind of damage on concrete surfaces. The same product can also be used for securing threading and anchoring in concrete surfaces.

3M concrete sealant cures fast and can be painted

The concrete sealant is primarily suitable for use by contractors, but allows also for DIY projects. Developed by 3M, the flexible sealant expands while curing, and will neither shrink nor crack when applied to any depth. The sealant is self-leveling when slightly overfilled, and it cures in 5 minutes, can be sanded after 15 minutes after application and allows for painting within an hour.

3M reports that the concrete sealant is solvent-free and suitable for use in construction, shop floors, stairways and walkways. The product can be applied with a common caulking gun, which makes it accessible also for DIY projects.

Lifting 17,500 Kg truck with adhesive breaks the world record

The Guinness World Records has recently recognized a new truck lift world record. The previous record of 16.3 metric tons was surpassed by the new record: lifting a truck of 17.5 metric tons one meter from the ground by using 3 grams of adhesive.

DELO holds the new truck lift world record

The party to break the world record is adhesive manufacturer DELO which developed a super strong adhesive to go against the current record in truck lifting. The 17, 500 kg truck was lifted with a crane to a height of one meter and let hung in the air for an hour on a bonded aluminum cylinder with a radius of 3.5 cm corresponding to the diameter of a standard beverage can.

The record was witnessed not only by about 600 DELO employees, but also two local politicians and an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records were present. Taking the chance and breaking the record was an absolute team effort and a showcase of the extremes their adhesives can achieve, according to Sabine Herold, managing partner of DELO.

Special adhesive developed for the attempt

The heat resistant DELO MONOPOX is an adhesive specially developed for the attempt. It is a single component, heat curing epoxy adhesive. The adhesive´s epoxy resin gives the product its extreme strength making it and similar products ideal for use in automotive industry and mechanical engineering.

performance and sustainability challenge packaging industry

The packaging industry has been experiencing significant growth having reached US$231 billion in 2018. Stimulated by the growth, the industry is facing several challenges for the future. Increasing consumer demand for more convenient, user-friendly food packaging, such as complex multilayer pouches, frozen food packaging ready to be reheated, and hot-fill packaging, drives the quest for new materials and designs, supported by unique adhesives that ensure product freshness, high performance, and regulatory compliance. Some of the newest innovations include compostable pressure sensitive adhesives and biobased heat seal solutions. The demand for high performace and increased sustainability has also encourage development a 100% biodegradable adhesive.

Suitable packaging adhesive is tested and approved

While many adhesive manufacturers claim their materials to be suitable for food packaging applications, the adhesive might simply meet the physical performance requirements for the package, while it has not been tested for the specific packaging application. The use of untested adhesives in packaging and labels can result in contamination, leading to widespread negative media attention, lawsuits, lasting public censure, and permanent damage to brand reputations. So, converters and brand owners must ensure that the adhesive selected is suitable for the application. Transparency should be incorporated into every aspect of a product’s development, including packaging. It is this collective concentration on safety and compliance that will result in competitive advantage and confidence throughout the value chain.

Industrial adhesives market expected to grow at CARG of 5%

Technavio has recently conducted a market study which projects strong growth for the industrial adhesives market at least till 2023. The market is expected to grow at a CARG of nearly 5%. The use of industrial adhesives by manufacturers is increasing due to the systems´unique properties and superior performance. They also lead to better operations in comparison with traditional mechanical fasteners and eliminate the risk of corrosion when joining dissimilar metals that have different galvanic potential.

Sustainability drives development of industrial adhesives

The growing interest and demand from emerging economies for low VOC and sustainable green adhesives has triggered the need for environmentally friendly industrial adhesives. This has resulted in industrial adhesives made of renewable and biobased raw materials. Some industrial adhesives manufacturers are completely committed to producing eco-friendly adhesives to deliver the greatest possible contribution to environmental health and safety.

Industrial adhesives challenged by oil prices

The industrial adhesives market is experiencing strong growth while at the same time being challenged by the price volatility of crude oil. The price volatility is likely to influence the raw material costs and could lead to higher prices for industrial adhesives. Especially in the emerging economies, the increase in price could result in reduced use of industrial adhesives.

Thermally conductive 2K epoxy for heat generating parts

A new thermally conductive adhesive for bonding heat generating components in electronics assembly has recently been launched. This two part epoxy takes the bonding of items such as heatsink heat exchangers and LEDs up a level. Possible application methods include dual-syringes, mix-tips and automatic dispensing systems.

Technical data of the thermally conductive adhesive

This thermally conductive 2K epoxy is developed and launched by MG Chemicals. The adhesives measures 1.1W/(m. K) in thermal conductivity which works for 45 minutes. In room temperature, the curing takes place in 24 hours. However, if the temperature is raised to 65 C (149 F), the time span will be sped up to 2.5 hours.

The MG Chemical 8329TFM is a thixotropic adhesive which has good adherence to various substrates. Next to thermal conductivity, the adhesive also provides electric insulation, as well as is resistant to salt water, humidity, aliphatic hydrocarbons and mild bases. The shelf life of the smooth, grey adhesive exceeds three years.

Proper Storage of epoxy adhesives for efficiency

Epoxy adhesives are widely used throughout industries due to their many benefits. To ensure that the adhesives retain the benefits and their functionality, it is crucial to consider the product-specific storage requirements of each system.

Storage of one and two component epoxy adhesives

When storing one and two component epoxies, the product-specific requirements must be taken into account. However, for all epoxies, the storage area must be well-ventilated. Ideal storage temperature, in turn, varies per product. For example one part epoxies are usually stored between between 5°C and 10°C (40°F and 50°F), and they must be brought to ambient temperature prior to application. 2K epoxy adhesives, for their part, are generally stored in drier areas and higher temperatures, usually between 20°C – 25°C (68°F – 77°F).

An exception is premixed 2K epoxy which must be stored frozen, in -40°C (-40°F), to let it retain its functionality for 6 months. The premixed epoxy is melted prior to application and can neither be refrozen nor reused, as it cures in room temperature.

Other factors to consider with epoxy glues

To further improve the efficiency of epoxy based adhesives, it is important to be aware of the date of manufacture, and ensure product containers are closed properly with the correct lids. Also machinery and equipment should be thoroughly cleaned between products to avoid cross-contamination. Additional attention is required when storing flammable and hazardous materials.