Basic details and features:

LOCTITE Universal Structural bonders are the next generation of universal bonders powered by patented hybrid technology. Historically, we have had a choice between cyanoacrylates (or instant adhesives) and structural bonders. Cyanoacrylates lend themselves to easy use as a 1-component product that cures fast and has high adhesion to plastics. Structurals on the other hand are generally 2-component or 2-step systems that require mixing but can fill large gaps and provide high performance environmental properties and durability.

The hybrid technology adhesives are versatile structural bonders that combine the strength of a structural adhesive with the speed of an instant adhesive for unlimited applications, giving you the freedom to design and build.

  • Multi-substrate adhesion (metals, most plastics, and rubbers) that allows using high performing substrates that reduce weight and cost
  • Fast cure (3 to 5 minutes) speeding up production and simplifying assembly process
  • Good impact and vibration resistance, increasing reliability
  • Thermal (upto 150oC) and environmental durability
  • Non-flammable, non-corrosive ensuring health and safety of employees
  • Available in grey formulation for proper mix indication

Talk to our expert for first-hand information for achieving reliable results with LOCTITE Structural Bonding solutions.

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Learn how LOCTITE Structural Bonding solutions can help you in achieving reliable results with maximum strength.

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How the technology works

2-component hybrid adhesives cures by mixing of parts A (cyanoacrylate) and B (epoxy) when dispensed through a static mixer. Handling strength is achieved rapidly; full strength is achieved over time. Cure time will depend on the substrate (faster on steel vs polycarbonate and aluminium), bond gap (lower the bond gap higher the cure speed) and temperature (higher the temperature higher the cure speed).

Popular Applications
  • General applications: assemblies involving mixed substrates – especially moulded plastic or poorly fitted parts subject to impact loading

  • Electrical machinery, optical goods, lighting, and loudspeakers – Magnet bonding, frame bonding, cover bonding

  • Durable consumer goods – bonding and sealing of enclosure, sub components, displays of power tools, home automation devices

  • Stiffener bonding, panel bonding in elevators, furniture, storage racks etc.

  • Sports goods like golf clubs, hockey sticks, rackets etc.

Case Studies

Reducing warranty claims with better clear bonding solution

An LED light bulb maker used LOCTITE to strengthen the bonding between bulb cover and body to reduce pre-mature bulb failure due to moisture.

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Increasing design flexibility to accelerate production process

A storage module maker used LOCTITE to assemble thin cast aluminium housing parts on their new product design to make it lightweight.

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Available Technologies
Depending on the field of application, various adhesive technologies with specific product properties are available for structural bonding. Selection of the best-suited technology for your application depends on shear strength and flexibility (elongation).

Epoxies

Acrylics

Polyurethanes

Silane Modified Polymers (SMP)

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Help & Support

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frequently asked questions
Here's list of queries with responses that might help you.

We have been using welding for our structural requirement. Will structural adhesives be able to achieve the right strength?

LOCTITE structural adhesives have been proven to be able to take almost as much load as overlap welding and that too at only half the cost. LOCTITE adhesive also offer other advantages like making the process simple, and providing sealing along with bonding.

We use adhesive tapes. It is not messy. Wouldn’t using LOCTITE adhesives increase the process time and cost?

While double sided adhesive tapes are not messy, their application process is definitely very long and complicated – what with the need to cut to specific dimensions and expensive activators. LOCTITE adhesives are mostly applied through static mixers that ensures precise application without any mess.

We are using polypropylene and we have tried to use multiple methods and adhesives before, but they didn’t work. Which LOCTITE adhesives would be suitable?

There are many suitable LOCTITE structural adhesives based on acrylic, epoxy, modified silane and hybrid technologies that would be ideal for bonding polypropylene. Drop a query to our LOCTITE experts with the specifics of the application requirement and they will be able to recommend the right solution.

Replacing rivets is out of question – if we use adhesives, it will take longer to bond but with rivets we would be able to assemble instantly.

Rivets offer the advantage of instant assembly, however result into concerns of reliability because of uneven stress concentrate points that become fatigue and failure points and also lead to corrosion. Instead, LOCTITE structural adhesives offer better reliability and come in various cure types which can be further accelerated with the help of activators.

Can LOCTITE products withstand loads under extreme humidity and temperature conditions?

Yes, LOCTITE structural adhesives have been designed to withstand heavy loads under various ambient conditions. Especially, LOCTITE structural adhesives based on modified silane technology which cure in the presence of humidity, are excellent for outside applications where high temperature, UV resistance etc. features are preferred.

Which LOCTITE structural adhesives can bond rubber to metal?

LOCTITE structural adhesives based on acrylic, epoxy, modified silane technology and hybrids are excellent for bonding rubber to metal. Drop a query to our LOCTITE experts with the specifics of the application requirement and they will be able to recommend the right solution.

Is it possible to bond glass to glass or glass to metal with LOCTITE adhesives?

Yes, bonding dissimilar substrates like glass to metal or even glass to glass is possible with LOCTITE adhesives. If optical clarity and aesthetics is a must, choose clear epoxies like LOCTITE E-30 CL. Otherwise LOCTITE acrylics are also a great choice for bonding glass to metal or glass to glass. Prefer modified silanes if glass has to be fixed to a metallic frame. Drop a query to our LOCTITE experts with the specifics of the application requirement and they will be able to recommend the right solution.

Is any surface preparation needed before applying LOCTITE structural adhesives?

Removal of dirt, dust or other surface impurities from the surfaces to be bonded is important before adhesive application as they can interfere with the effectiveness of the bond strength. This can be achieved through either degreasing or abrasion. Chemical treatments like primers, corona discharge, flame and plasma treatments can also be used to modify the surface properties to further enhance bond strength.

What is meant by open time/working time/pot life of an adhesive?

Open time is the time within which parts should be assembled post application of the adhesive to ensure proper surface wetting and achieve maximum strength.

What does on part life of adhesive signify?

This term is relevant for adhesives where activator is used on one of the parts. On-part life is the time within which activator or primer provides full performance.

What is the difference between fixture time and full cure time?

Fixture time of an adhesive is the time needed to achieve enough strength to hold the parts together without additional support or to achieve lap shear strength of 0.1 N/mm2 whereas full cure time of an adhesive is the time needed to achieve full performance.

What is a hybrid adhesive?

Combination of two different adhesive technologies, which are normally stand-alone technologies and at the outset cannot be manually mixed. A Hybrid combines the positive attributes of both technologies which provides new performance parameter. LOCTITE Hybrid adhesives combine the speed of cyanoacrylates (commonly known as instant adhesives) with the strength of epoxies/acrylates to give universal that can bond anything in seconds providing high strength.