Adhesive bonding, is becoming more and more accepted as a cost-effective production method in the aerospace, automotive, marine, construction, mechanical and electrical/electronic industries. Epoxy resins are a technically and economically attractive alternative to mechanical fasteners as well as for welding, brazing, and soldering operations.
Advantages of Epoxy Resin in Adhesive Bonding
Epoxy adhesives have an unmatched record and an extensive 30-year history of bonding experiences. They combine high mechanical strength properties with dimensional stability, chemical resistance and good handling characteristics at moderate cost. These workhorses of the adhesives world can be formulated to bond to steels, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, most thermosetting and many thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced composites, concretes, bricks, ceramics, glasses, woods and foamed structures. When compared to other commercial adhesives, epoxies provide many important advantages: they fill gaps, resist water and chemicals and offer durability with convenient cure schedules.
Most Popular One Part Epoxy Systems
Some of Master Bond's most popular one part expoxy systems include:
Product |
Description |
SUPREME 10HT |
One part epoxy system curing at 250-300°F with very high shear and peel strength. Superb temperature resistance. Serviceable at cryogenic temperatures. |
EP19HT |
Very low viscosity one component epoxy system. Widely used for impregnation and coating. |
EP3HTMED |
Rapid curing, one component epoxy. Meets USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. |
SUPREME 10ANHT |
Thermally conductive version of our one part Supreme 10HT epoxy system with very good heat transfer properties. |
SUPREME 10HT/S |
Electrically conductive version of our one part Supreme 10HT epoxy system with a very low volume resistivity. |
Most Popular Two Part Epoxy Systems
Some of Master Bond's most popular two part expoxy systems include:
Product |
Description |
EP31 |
Ultra high strength two part epoxy adhesive that bonds well to most metals and plastics. Aluminum to aluminum lap shear exceeds 4000 psi. |
EP21TDC/S |
Two component epoxy system with a convenient 1:1 mix ratio and very low electrical resistance. |
EP21TDCHT |
Easy to use, high strength two part epoxy adhesive. Ideal for bonding substrates with different coefficients of expansion. |
EP30 |
Low viscosity, transparent two component epoxy adhesive for bonding glass and many clear plastics. |
EP51FL-1 |
Highly flexible, faster setting two part epoxy. Capable of rigorous thermal cycling. Has superior impact & shock resistance. Cryogenically serviceable. |
Applications of Epoxy Systems
Epoxy systems are used in a wide range of applications including:
- Printers
- Door Panels
- Hearing Aids
- Ovens
- Displays
- Ophthalmic Instruments
- Washing Machines
- Electronic Controllers
- Orthopedic Devices
- Mobile Phones
- Instruments
- Surgical Instruments
- Drills
- Power Generators
- Honeycomb Parts
- Structural Panels
- Harness Assemblies
- Railcars
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- Fuel Management Systems
- Filters
- Cameras
- Engines
- Pumps
- Ovens
- Motors
- Compressors
- Brake Systems
- PC Boards
- Lasers
- Controllers
- Heat Sinks
- Fiber Optics
- Hydraulic Components
- Sensors Tubing Assemblies
- Heat Transfer Devices
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- Lenses & Prisms
- Steering Systems
- IC Packaging
- OLED's
- Connector Sealing
- Composites
- Wave Guides
- Voltage Regulators
- Catheters
- Imaging Systems
- Alternators
- Respiratory Products
- Solar Panels
- Engine Cooling Systems
- Transducers
- Antennas
- Down Hole Pumps
- Endoscopes
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Composition of Epoxy Adhesive Systems
Generally, epoxy adhesive systems are made up of a base resin, a hardener, an accelerator, flexibilizers, fillers, diluents and additives.
Thermal and Chemical Properties of Epoxy Adhesive Systems
The base resin greatly affects thermal stability and chemical resistance. Depending on the selected hardener, an epoxy adhesive can cure quickly (40 sec) or slowly (48 hrs) at room and/or elevated temperatures (150 to 400°F).
Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Adhesive Systems
The bond strength, mechanical strength properties, flexibility, heat and chemical resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity, etc. can be varied by the choice of type and amount of various components to best meet specific application requirements. The list of additives for upgrading the properties of an epoxy adhesive in a given end category is steadily increasing.
Epoxies show the highest tensile shear strengths of all adhesives - up to 6000 psi and more - with fiber-reinforced compounds featuring shear strengths in excess of 10,000 psi. Bonds are generally rigid, but may be made more flexible if necessary. Service temperatures range from below -67°F to over 500°F. Resistance to moisture, fuels and many other chemicals is of a very high order. Epoxies generally offer exceptionally good gap-filling capability and cure with minimal shrinkage without the evolution of volatiles. When used to bond dissimilar metals, the bond line functions as a barrier against galvanic corrosion. Since they offer good electrical insulation characteristics, they are valuable in many electrical and electronic assemblies.
Production of Epoxy Adhesive Systems
Epoxy adhesives are usually produced as one- or two-component, ambient or heat-curing liquids, pastes or films. The films are supported or unsupported tapes, the principal supports being glass cloth, graphite fibers or nylon film.
Two-component liquid and paste epoxy adhesive are widely employed in the construction, marine, electrical/electronic and various mechanical industries as well as for repair and maintenance in the vast consumer markets.
Applications of Epoxy Paste and Film Adhesives
One-component paste and film adhesives are used in the aerospace and transportation industries because they offer the highest shear strengths and the greatest service temperature capabilities. They require elevated temperature cures, frequently carried out in the 250- 400°F range. Two-component epoxy adhesive are usually cured at ambient or moderately elevated temperatures e.g., 75-200°F. Some tend to exhibit somewhat lower strengths and more limited service temperature capabilities compared to one-component pastes and films.
Development of High-Performance Epoxy Adhesives
Much progress has been made in the last few years in improving performance characteristics of epoxy adhesives. These advances relate to improving toughness and peel strength, increasing their high-temperature service capabilities and upgrading their resistance to water and other chemicals, including fuels and lubricants, at elevated temperatures. Also, for one-component pastes and films, shelf life without the need for low-temperature (40°F) storage has been substantially extended and cure schedules shortened while bonding properties are retained and sometimes advanced. Much of this development work was stimulated by the needs of aerospace industries for lighter weight, more fuel-efficient aerospace components.
The gains achieved in upgrading peel strength and heat resistant characteristics of epoxy adhesive are particularly impressive. Epoxy adhesives have traditionally exhibited high-tensile shear strengths but have shown low peel strength, a marked disadvantage for many bonding operations. This deficiency is being overcome by more sophisticated chemistry and formulation technology including modification with liquid elastomers. Furthermore, epoxy-based adhesives with greatly improved peel strength retain the desirably high tensile shear strengths typical of these materials.
Equally significant are the improvements in thermal stability for one and two component epoxy-based adhesive. Today's advanced epoxy adhesive systems perform quite satisfactorily at temperatures at and above 500°F. The key to this remarkable development has been the production of new heat-resistant epoxy resins based on novel chemical structures. These advanced epoxy resins can be cured over a wide temperature range with specially designed curing agents and give impressive bond strengths.
Epoxy Adhesives in Corrosive Environments
Many advances have been made towards developing epoxy-based adhesives capable of performing in highly corrosive environments (like those found in chemical process industries). Two-component liquid and paste adhesives have been recently commercialized with excellent resistance to strong mineral acids, bases and organic solvents after only ambient temperature cures. One such adhesive even resists 98% sulphuric acid, 30% phosphoric acid, 30% ammonia, 100% ethanol and strong organic solvents including cellosolve and butyl acetate.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Master Bond Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Master Bond Inc.