THERMOPLASTIC ADHESIVES
Staff
General DPN
Akron Coating and Adhesives (ACA) announced a line of hot melt adhesives designed to provide a strong bond between a variety of metals and thermoplastics. Thermoplastic elastomers have become increasingly common, and are used in everything from automobiles (weather stripping, gaskets, and seals) to hand grips for tools and appliances.
ACA notes that because these thermoplastics have very low surface free
energy it is difficult to establish good adhesion. Unlike most
adhesives used for this purpose, ACA's products are said to make a bond
that is often strong enough to tear the thermoplastic material without
first applying a primer coat. By eliminating this extra step
manufacturers can cut costs and reduce scrap.
The adhesives are water-based rather than solvent based, allowing
easier clean up and better compliance to environmental regulations. The
adhesives bond many different materials, including several grades of
Santoprene, polyethylene, neoprene, PVC, TPV, EDPM foam and natural
rubber to metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel,
copper and brass. They come in a wide variety of viscosities, and can
be applied using various coating techniques. Heat activation
temperatures range from 250° to 400°F.
akroncoating.com
