Thermoset plastics adhesive performance

However, with the explosive growth of the medical device industry and the widespread use of many thermoplastic and thermoset plastics, better and faster curing adhesives have become a necessity for performance and productivity reasons. 

In this section, a guide is given to indicate the performance of several different adhesives for a selection of six thermoset plastics. 

The Araldite series of epoxy resins, manufactured by Huntsman, are perhaps the most well-known, typically two-part systems and these epoxy adhesives wonld generally be expected to bond well to epoxy thermoset plastics. Cyanoacrylates showed good results in these trials [3], but would not be expected to offer the same durability as epoxy-based adhesives. Note that there are so many different grades of epoxy materials that it is impossible to give specific data (Table 3.2) is intended as a guideline and tests would always be necessary to confirm adhesion performance. 

Dr. Riew has presented more than 50 technical papers and holds more than 25 patents on emulsion polymers, hydrophilic polymers, synthesis and application of telechelic polymers, and toughened plastics for adhesives and composites. His latest research is in the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of impact modifiers for thermosets and engineering thermoplastics. His research interests include correlating polymer chemistry and physics, morphology, engineering, and static and dynamic thermomechanical properties to the failure mechanisms of toughened plastics. 

Inorganic whiskers, a kind of single crystal fibrous or needle-like material that appeared in recent years, are used to reinforce thermosetting resin, thermoplastic resin, rubber, metal, and ceramics through filling and to prepare advanced engineering plastic, composite materials, adhesive, sealant, and paint. The excellent performances of inorganic whiskers have led to their wide application as composite materials- ... 

The mass production of cars with aluminium and plastics replacing steel in body structures is some years away due to cost and performance reasons, but many components such as doors, fenders, hoods and trunk lids are now manufactured out of materials such as thermoset PU and unsaturated polyester and aluminium. Mechanical fastening and heat curing cannot be used with these systems, so adhesive bonding with two-component epoxies and PU is employed. 

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