PE adhesive creates strong, fast bonds to low surface energy substrates

SCIgrip Adhesives (Durham, N.C., U.S.), part of the IPS Adhesives family of brands, presents its new polyethylene (PE) adhesive SG400LSE that, unlike most polyolefins, creates fast and strong bonds with low surface energy substrates. SG400LSE has been tested on high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) PE, homopolymer (shown at far left in the image above), copolymer and glass-filled polypropylene (PP), and results in substrate failure — not bond failure — every time. 

SG400LSE has also proven its ability to bond to nylon-66, a common type of nylon that is another difficult-to-adhere surface that has low surface energy and is chemically inert.

Moreover, SG400LSE works with dissimilar material bonding. According to the company, this ability to cross-bond substrates is what makes IPS Adhesives stand out from the competition. SG400LSE has been tested against multiple plastics, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) and metals, with substrate failure or PP stretch in every case. The middle portion of the image above demonstrates that SG400LSE adheres well enough to both substrates to stretch the PP while a competitor’s adhesive on the far right is peeling right off of the aluminum. 

SG400LSE cures quickly, reaching a strength of more than 300 psi (2 MPa) in just 6 hours and full strength in 24 hours. It’s a translucent, low-color, two-part product with a 10:1 mix ratio that will be offered in 50 mL cartridges.