Solid-system adhesives offer a variety of benefits for the workplace and the environment.
According to a 2012 market intelligence report, the worldwide solvent market is expected to produce revenues of approximately $33 billion by 2019. Global demand and solvent consumption is also projected to increase at an average annual rate of 2.5% over the next several years. Solvents are big business, but at what price?
In a recent article published in Adhesives and Sealants Industry Magazine, Hernon Manufacturing uncovered the benefits of solid-system adhesives vs. the dangers (to both humans and the environment) of solvents.
Read more here: Solid Reasons for Solid Systems
Demand for 100% Solids
Through meticulous research and development, the dedication of engineers, programmers, chemists, and chemical engineers, along with substantial investments in technology, adhesive manufacturers are continuously working to eliminate environmental hazards. Collectively, they strive to provide adhesive products that meet or exceed consumer demand while reducing the impact on the earth and increasing the safety of these products to humans. In the case of solvents, the result of this effort by adhesive manufacturers is a 100% solid system technology.
Notable Applications:
100% solid systems are appropriate for use in a number of different applications, including UV form on gasket (FOG), diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pipe sealants, and thermally conductive adhesives.
UV Form on Gasket
UV FOG is an ultraviolet-cure adhesive developed for oil seals. UV FOG replaces inefficient gasketing methods, long drying times and solvent-based products. This product is solvent-free and can be completely cured in seconds without high-energy ovens. Its function is to act as a seal when it is placed in a bore.
UV FOG is very flexible and malleable, while being resistant to many chemicals—including petrochemicals—and will smear to fill any tiny scratches, gaps or dings in the bore. Its solvent-less sealant technology eliminates drying time, reduces energy consumption and enables continuous processing.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Pipe Sealant
DEF is a urea-based chemical reactant designed to reduce NOx emissions. The EPA is requiring all service, public transport and fleet vehicles to switch over to DEF technology.
DEF pipe sealant formula was developed for use with stainless steel pipes within the petroleum bulk transfer industry. This formula is containment-free to ISO 22241 standards and thereby compatible with diesel exhaust fluid. It is a solvent-less, anaerobic pipe sealant that provides superior mild-locking performance, compared to tapes and non-hardening dopes. DEF pipe sealant reduces costs by eliminating leakage and increasing the assembly line speed. It also prevents environmental contamination issues related to fuel leaking into the ground.
Thermally Conductive Adhesives
Solvent-less, structural acrylics provide specific adhesion for bonding electrical heat sink components with high thermal conductivity, as when bonding LED light base components. Replacing incandescent and standard fluorescent lights, LED lights provide superior illumination and use less energy than older-generation bulbs.
In LED lights, heat that is trapped and not dissipated by the components can lead to premature component failure and costly repair, replacement and increased waste. Trapped heat will also result in an LED light losing 80% of its efficiency. Using a thermally conductive adhesive to bond the base components assures thermal conductivity and prevents electrical shorting. In turn, this maximizes the performance and increases the shelf life of an LED light.
For more information, contact Hernon Manufacturing at (866) 554-4005 or (407) 322-4000, or visit www.hernon.com.