Adhesives specialist Intertronics now supplies Born2Bond Ultra™, the fastest bonding methoxyethyl cyanoacrylate (MECA)-based range on the market. The innovative low-bloom, low-odour formulation is capable of bonding many substrates including plastics, metals, rubber and leather. It offers an attractive solution to the blooming vs cure speed problem to manufacturers in industries from electronics, medical devices, and automotive to jewellery and luxury goods —anyone who has previously faced productivity compromises when working with CAs.
There are multiple monomers used to formulate cyanoacrylate adhesives (CAs), most commonly ethyl monomers (ECA). However, the volatility of ECA based adhesives means they are prone to blooming —an unwanted chalky white residue on the surface of a part that compromises part aesthetics. ECAs commonly have a harsh odour, which may be irritating and require ventilation. While adhesives based on MECA monomers are less volatile, they often compare poorly in terms of cure speed, strength and costs.
The new and innovative material range, Born2Bond Ultra, is both low odour and low bloom, but can still cure at very fast speeds of 5 to 10 seconds, meaning manufacturers of products where visual aesthetics are important face fewer productivity compromises. The range can produce a strong bond in many substrates, even in joints subject to flexing as they are less brittle than conventional CAs.
Born2Bond Ultra is available as four viscosity variants, low, medium and high viscosity and a gel. The gel consistency allows precise application in any orientation.
“Cyanoacrylate adhesives are very popular as they are easy to use, single-part and cure quickly at room temperature,” explained Ben Swanson, Sales Manager of Intertronics. “One downside of their volatility is their tendency to cause blooming, which occurs when unreacted CA monomers condense in the air and fall back onto the surface of the part in the form of white crystals of flakes.
“Recent advances mean we can now combine the fast cure associated with ECA-based products with the low blooming characteristics of MECA-based adhesives,” added Swanson. “Born2Bond Ultra can overcome many of the challenges for manufacturers currently working around the speed/blooming dilemma.”
Their inherently low volatility means less odour, and they are less irritating; there are no CLP hazard symbols on the labels. Born2Bond Ultra is suitable for bonding acidic substrates like wood and leather. Traditionally, manufacturers using these materials could use a surface insensitive CA, which includes additives that neutralise the acid surface. Born2Bond Ultra is a good alternative as it offers a fixture time on leather of 5 to 10 seconds and is low odour and low bloom.
Born2Bond Ultra can also be used with Born2Bond Booster for faster cures, and Born2Bond Primer to facilitate the bonding of difficult plastics. For more information on Born2Bond Ultra, visit www.intertronics.co.uk/product/born2bond-ultra-cyanoacrylate-adhesives/.
