3M Scotch-Weld EPX
™
™
Two-component structural adhesives and applicator guns
Innovation
What is a structural adhesive?
3M’s high-strength structural adhesives are fundamentally load-bearing formulations. Bond strength is often as strong as, or stronger than
the materials joined.
Even a bonded area of 10 cm2 (like
in this picture) is sufficient to lift an
average family car off the ground! In
general, these structural adhesives
have enough cohesive strength and
creep resistance to permanently
bond high-strength materials and
they have the potential to replace mechanical and fusion fastening in
many applications.
The aircraft industry is one of the pioneers in use of structural
adhesives. Many other industries have also been taking advantage of
3M’s advanced formulations and innovative dispensing.
The 3MTM EPX application system for 2-component structural adhesives provides quick, economic, clean, precise processing and quick
set-up times. It consists of:
EPX manual applicators or EPX air-powered applicators
Two-component adhesives in double cartridges
Static mixing nozzles
The adhesive can be applied at selected points or in a continuous
bead. Dosing, mixing and application are all achieved in one action,
delivering constant, defined quality. These 3M structural adhesives
achieve permanent high strength bonds with many materials such
as metals, glass, ceramics, wood, technical plastics and rubbers etc.
Specifications
Product no.
Adhesive type
Description
EPOXY formulations
DP 100
rigid
For metals, glass, ceramics and other materials. High shear strength for static loads.
Excellent flow behaviour, therefore also well suited for potting. UL-listed.
DP 105
highly flexible
Particularly for materials with different, high expansion factors. High strength.
Very good flow behaviour, therefore also very well suited for potting.
DP 110
thoughened
Especially good for bonding metal and plastic, for static and dynamic loads.
DP 125
flexible
Especially good for bonding plastic and for metals, where flexibility and peel strength are required.
As DP 190, but with quicker time to handling strength.
DP 190
flexible
Especially good for bonding plastic and some types of rubber, as well as for metals,
when flexibility and peel strength are required. UL-listed.
DP 270
fluid
Especially good for electronics. For potting, protection and sealing. No corrosion on copper, minimal exothermal
reaction (heat development) and shrinkage (therefore also for bonding optical parts, e.g. lenses). UL-listed.
DP 410
thoughened
Outstanding stability under static and dynamic loads. High resistance to impact.
Very good strength and excellent ageing characteristics.
DP 460
thoughened
As DP 410, but longer work life. UL-listed.
DP 490
thoughened
As DP 410, but with high temperature resistance (120°C).
Thixotropic formulation, non-sag properties enable easy application to vertical surfaces.
DP 760
rigid
Especially for applications that require very high temperature resistance (230°C).
POLYURETHANE formulations
DP 609
flexible
Especially for plastics and wood. Good peel strength, viscosity and flexibility. Minimal flow.
DP 610
flexible
As DP609, but transparent, non-yellowing UV-resistant characteristics make it ideal for applications that require
long term transparency and good visual effect. Good flow behaviour.
ACRYLIC formulations
DP 801
thoughened
Very good for plastics, elastomers and metals. Good resistance to impact. For static and dynamic loads.
Short work life results in a fast development to handling strength.
DP 810
thoughened
As DP 801, but longer work life. Significantly less odour that most acrylic adhesives.
DP 8005
thoughened
New, innovative product especially for bonding Low Surface Energy plastics (like PE or PP) together
or with other materials, without surface pre-treatment.
DP 8010
thoughened
As above, longer work life of 10 minutes.
Critical adhesive characteristics
Rigid adhesive types for applications with static loading
and high shear strength (DP 100, DP 270, DP 760)
Flexible adhesive types for dynamic and shock loads (DP 105,
DP 125, DP 190, DP 609, DP 610)
Toughened adhesive types which combine the advantages of hard
and flexible types, i.e. with good peel strength, high shear strength
and good impact resistance (DP 110, DP 410, DP 460, DP 490, DP
801, DP 810)
Useful adhesive terminology
Structural Adhesive = Practical bond strength is at least 7 MPa
in overlap shear at 24° C.
Handling strength = the time it takes assembled parts to reach
a strength where further handling and processing can take place.
Time will be dependant on the surface to be bonded, temperature
and humidity.
Product No.
Colour
Mix ratio (B:A)
Work life
(minutes)
Work life = the time during which an adhesive is liquid enough
to adequately wet-out on a substrate.
MPa = 1 MPa = 1 N/mm2 = 145 psi
N/cm = Newton / 1 cm width.
Time to handling
strength
Viscosity
Shear strength
Peel strength
(Aluminium, MPa)
(Aluminium, N/cm)
Temperature
-55°C +23°C +80°C
EPOXY formulations
DP 100
transparent
1:1
3 to 5 min.
15 min.
fluid
6
9
2
4
-50 to 80°C
DP 105
transparent
1:1
4 to 5 min.
20 min.
fluid
24 14
2
62
-50 to 80°C
DP 110
translucent
or grey
1:1
8 to 10 min.
20 min
controlled flow 14 18
1
35
-50 to 80°C
DP 125
grey
1:1
25 min.
2 to 3 hrs
controlled flow 24 24
3
62
-50 to 80°C
DP 190
grey
1:1
90 min.
4 to 6 hrs
controlled flow 11 18
3
21
-50 to 80°C
DP 270
transparent
or black
1:1
60 to 70 min.
4 to 6 hrs
17
2
