Frequently Asked Questions

Can dissimilar metals be bonded?

Adhesive formulations are available from Master Bond Inc. for bonding most any combination of dissimilar metal surfaces. Special attention must be paid to properly preparing the metal surfaces for adhesive bonding. Removal of contaminants such as dirt, oils, greases and extraneous particulates prior to bonding is essential to obtain durable high strength bonding. Mechanical roughening (abrasion) of the surfaces to be bonded is a simple, highly effective pretreatment even for such difficult-to-bond metal surfaces as stainless steel or titanium.

Can materials with different thermal expansion coefficients be effectively adhesively bonded?

Bonding substrates with such widely different thermal expansion coefficients as glass and aluminum or plastics and ceramics can be readily accomplished with properly selected adhesive compositions. Adhesives with compliant bond characteristics are the key for achieving high strength, durable bonds between such substrates. Master Bond Inc. offers quite a number of high strength structural adhesive compositions for such bonding requirements.

How tight are bond line tolerances for assuring effective adhesive bonding?

Gap filling, solventless adhesive systems such as epoxies, polyurethanes and silicone materials are very tolerant of variations in bond line thickness. Master Bond formulations based on these and other polymer systems can produce high performance bonds with assemblies whose bonding surfaces have tolerances up to 20 mils and even more. Highest strengths are usually achieved when adhesive bonds range from 2-5 mils in thickness. Master Bond’s adhesive product line has been designed to offer optimal tolerances in permissible bond line thickness.

How can the cure time of an adhesive composition be speeded up?

Adhesives can usually be cured in significantly shorter times at elevated compared to ambient temperatures. Master Bond’s line of adhesive products furthermore features specially designed formulations which can cure rapidly at elevated temperatures. Certain Master Bond adhesive compositions cure almost instantaneously at room temperatures. These include unique epoxy based compounds, special cyanoacrylate and very fast curing silicone elastomeric compounds.

How can the cure rate of silicone adhesives be shortened?

Silicone adhesives and sealants cure upon exposure to moisture. A particularly desirable cure cycle for silicone type adhesive/sealants involves exposure to 130-150°F and 95-100% relative humidity. Addition of moisture to the environment where the silicone bonding operation takes place, will greatly enhance the cure rate. Thinner sections of silicone adhesive/sealants cure faster than do thicker sections. A 1/8" thick section can cure within 24 hours. More time is required to fully cure thicker sections. Master Bond Inc. has developed a special silicone adhesive called MasterSil 711 which in thin sections solidifies in 3-5 minutes and cures significantly faster than do commercially marketed competitive products.

Does Master Bond have products which meet military specifications?

Yes, Master Bond Inc. offers a wide range of adhesive and sealant products that fully meet the requirements of applicable military specifications. These include epoxies, cyanoacrylates, silicones and anaerobics. Consult Master Bond Inc for detailed recommendations.

Does Master Bond have products which meet USP Class VI requirements?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. offers a variety of products which fully meet and are certified for USP Class VI specifications. They include both one and two component systems and can be cured at ambient temperatures, heat and/or exposure to UV light. These products are primarily designed for use with either disposable or re-usable medical devices. Consult Master Bond for detailed recommendations.

Does Master Bond’s products bond polyolefin plastics?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. offers adhesive products for bonding polyolefin plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Usually specific surface treatments are employed to optimize bonding of these plastics. Also special primers are available to enhance adhesion. Master Bond Inc. will be glad to recommend specific procedures and materials for these difficult-to-bond plastic materials.

Does Master Bond’s product bond underwater?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. has developed adhesive compositions which bond and fully cure both underwater or when exposed to a humid environment. Consult Master Bond for details.

Can Master Bond products resist exposures to ionizing radiation?

Yes, Master Bond, Inc. has specially formulated products which successfully resist exposures to ionizing radiation as high as 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ rads. These can be cured at ambient or at elevated temperatures. Master Bond can offer detailed recommendations for specific applications.

How much adhesive is required for obtaining durable high strength bonds?

The amount of adhesive used should suffice to completely fill the gap between the two surfaces to be bonded. Use of excess adhesive is wasteful and requires an additional clean-up operation which further increases costs. Consult Master Bond for detailed recommendations.

How can excessive flow of an adhesive from a joint be prevented?

The key to preventing excessive flow of an adhesive from a joint during application and/or cure is to select an adhesive with the proper viscosity for the application. Thicker bond lines or elevated temperature cures generally require adhesives with higher viscosities and thixotropic behavior. Master Bond will be glad to suggest specific formulations for your intended use.

Does Master Bond have products which resist cryogenic temperatures?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. has a line of products which are presently used very successfully for cryogenic applications. They include both two component room temperature and one part heat-curing systems. Master Bond can offer valuable help in selecting suitable adhesive candidates.

Can Master Bond offer low outgassing products?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. offers quite a number of adhesive products which fully meet NASA’s stringent outgassing requirements. Detailed outgassing test data are available for specific Master Bond low outgassing products. They include high strength, electrically insulative, thermally conductive and electrically conductive products. Consult Master Bond for specific product and application recommendations.

Can Master Bond adjust existing formulations to better meet specific application and performance requirements?

Yes. Master Bond’s experienced technical staff will be glad to work with customers so as to optimize both application and performance needs for specific assembly applications. Master Bond can adjust such variables as viscosity, gel time, curing characteristics as well as lap shear strength, peel strength, flexibility, chemical stability, heat resistance, impact strength etc. Master Bond will customize formulations to best meet specific needs and can do so promptly and effectively. Master Bond will keep such customized formulations strictly confidential for its customer.

Are Master Bond adhesives available in special colors?

Master Bond Inc. can prepare its adhesives in most any desired color scheme. The specific color concentrates employed by Master Bond do not affect pertinent processing and performance parameters. Additionally Master Bond Inc. offers a line of optically clear adhesives for use in optical and opto-electronic applications.

Does Master Bond offer UV curing potting and encapsulation compounds?

Yes. Master Bond Inc. offers both rigid and flexible UV curing compositions for potting and encapsulation. They offer exceptionally fast cures, superior physical strength properties, good chemical resistance and dimensional stability. Cures can be readily effected in section thicknesses up to 1/4" and more with commercially marketed UV lamp equipment.

Does Master Bond offer electrically conductive adhesives?

Yes. Master Bond has developed a broad comprehensive line of electrically conductive adhesives which have very marked advantage over solder. Silver filled electrically conductive adhesives offer outstanding electrical conductivity as well as superior physical strength properties. Nickel filled systems are very economical to use and also have high physical strengths. Copper and graphite filled systems are also available for special uses. Electrically conductive two component adhesive formulations can be cured either at ambient or more quickly at various elevated temperatures. The one component systems must be cured at elevated temperatures.