Although the chemical has not been banned in the U.S., adhesive suppliers have begun introducing new versions of their products that do not contain the chemical. Read about those new products—and more—in this article.

Image courtesy of Hoenle AG

Medical Device Adhesives Are REACH Compliant and CMR-free

Hoenle has introduced a new line of advanced UV-cure adhesives for medical device assembly that comply with current REACH regulations. The adhesives are certified to be free of TPO and do not contain substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR).

They are suitable for assembly of cannulas, breathing circuits, catheters, reservoirs, heat exchangers, blood collection sets, and diagnostic devices. These new adhesives pass biocompatibility test protocols of ISO 10993.

The adhesives are also formulated without isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), an adhesion promoting monomer that has been linked to cases of human skin irritation.

Laboratory testing has found that most of the newly developed adhesives demonstrated equal, or higher, bond strength and resiliency than the original products formulated with TPO and IBOA. For example, Hoenle’s new Vitralit E-7041 T adhesive for needle bonding applications does not contain TPO or IBOA. When compared with the original formulation, Vitralit E-7041-T produced 100 percent greater bond strength in polypropylene to stainless steel assemblies and 9 percent greater bond strength in polycarbonate to polycarbonate assemblies.

Similarly, Hoenle’s new Vitralit E-4050 adhesive for bonding glass syringes yielded a 320 percent increase in bond strength compared with the original formulation when bonding glass with stainless steel.

See this company at The Assembly Show, Oct. 27-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

Hoenle AG
www.hoenle.com

Image courtesy of DELO Industrial Adhesives

UV-Cure Adhesives Do Not Contain IBOA, TPO

Delo Industrial Adhesives has introduced five new UV-cure adhesives that are free of IBOA or TPO.

Leading the portfolio is Photobond MG4202, which is designed for structural applications, such as assembly of housings for wearable medical devices. This solvent-free adhesive cures in just 1 second when exposed to UV light at a wavelength of 400 nanometers and an intensity of 1,000 milliwatts per square centimeter. The colorless adhesive operates across a temperature range of -40 to 125 C.

Photobond MG4191 serves as a versatile, multi-purpose adhesive that is completely free of skin-sensitizing substances. This lower-viscosity modification offers good water resistance and flow-resistant properties, making it ideal for various medical device applications.

Photobond MG4094 fluoresces when exposed to UV light, which facilitates visual process control. Photobond MG4186 delivers peel resistance with high reliability. Photobond MG4164 combines blue fluorescence with sealing capabilities for gasketing applications.

All products meet stringent medical industry requirements, including biocompatibility testing according to ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity. They comply with RoHS Directive 2015/863/EU and are available in convenient 30 cc cartridges.

DELO Industrial Adhesives
www.delo-adhesives.com

Image courtesy of Henkel Corp.

Flexible Adhesive for Assembling Automotive Displays

Loctite MS 9650 is a flexible, durable and fast-curing adhesive and sealant for assembling automotive displays.

Based on a silane-modified polymer, it cures through reaction with moisture, forming a soft elastic product that resists vibration and is strong enough for elastic bonding. It can bond a variety of substrates—including glass, metal, painted surfaces and plastics—with good UV resistance. The material shows creep behavior as a silicone-based adhesive, but it is superior to other silane-modified polymer grades.

By increasing temperature and humidity, curing time can be drastically reduced. This enables applications where one-component adhesives were previously considered unsuitable due to long processing times. Curing speed varies with factors such as moisture, temperature and joint depth. Curing can be boosted using Teroson MS 9371B.

The silicone-free formula supports low-VOC production for improved operator safety. In addition, it contains zero isocyanates and PVC, which helps minimize environmental impact and waste.

Henkel Corp.
https://next.henkel-adhesives.com

Image courtesy of EpoxySet Inc.

Epoxies and Urethanes Are Biocompatible

EpoxySet Inc. has introduced a broad line of epoxies and urethanes that are ISO-10993-5 approved for biocompatibility. These adhesives, sealants, encapsulants and coating materials are used extensively in medical device manufacturing. Common applications include sensors, PCBs, instruments, hearing aids, ultrasound probes, pacemakers, MRI machines, endoscopes and catheters. Many of these adhesives can withstand sterilization techniques, such as autoclaving, gamma radiation and ethylene oxide.

The line includes products that can withstand temperatures as high as 300 C or as low as 4 K. Many of the materials are optically clear or electrically or thermally conductive. Others are formulated for structural bonding applications. Some chemistries can be cured at room temperature; others cure heat or exposure to UV radiation.

EpoxySet Inc.
https://epoxysetinc.com

Image courtesy of Henkel Corp.

Low-Viscosity Adhesive for Medical Device Assembly

HLC-M-1004 is a low-viscosity light-curing adhesive for assembling complex medical devices. Its hybrid formula enables the adhesive to cure in both light‑exposed and shadowed areas. The adhesive cures on contact in dark areas, and it cures rapidly when exposed low‑intensity UV or visible‑light.

The adhesive is well-suited for applications involving catheters, diagnostic and therapeutic devices, and other parts that incorporate opaque or light-blocking substrates. Its low viscosity facilitates controlled dispensing and penetration into tight bond gaps, enabling consistent bond formation without the need for primers.

Additional performance benefits include limited blooming with proper light curing, flexibility after cure, and improved aesthetics. The material fixtures rapidly to support high-throughput manufacturing processes.

HLC-M-1004 meets ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards and contains no nonreactive solvents.

Dymax Corp.
https://dymax.com

Image courtesy of Wevo-Chemie GmbH

Silicone Seals High-Voltage Battery Housings  

Wevosil 23130 is a silicone sealant for creating formed-in-place gaskets on EV battery housings.

The sealant ensures the housing remains airtight by forming a reliable barrier against gases and smoke that may be released during thermal runaway of the batteries. At the same time, the material is highly resistant to both mechanical and thermal stress. It also effectively prevents moisture from penetrating the housing.

Once cured, the material has a tensile strength of more than 2 megapascals. The material is resistant to hot and corrosive gases. It will retain its seal even when gas pressure inside the housing is high.

The sealant has been formulated for automated assembly lines. The filler-free silicone has excellent rheological properties, allowing it to be precisely applied using standard mixing and dosing systems—even on complex 3D geometries. At room temperature, it has a pot life of more than 24 hours. After application, localized infrared heating up to 140 C will cure the sealant in less than five minutes.

Wevo-Chemie GmbH
www.wevo-chemie.de

Image courtesy of Cotronics Corp.

Ceramic Tape Provides Thermal Insulation

Ultra-Temp 390PS ceramic tape can be wrapped around pipes and equipment to provide thermal and electrical insulation to 2,300 F. The tape has excellent adhesion to metals, ceramic and glass.

The tape is available in four widths (1, 1.5, 2 and 3 inches) and two thicknesses (0.125 and 0.25 inch). It is made from asbestos-free, aluminum oxide based refractory fibers. These tapes have low specific heat and low thermal conductivity. They are resistant to thermal shock and offer electrical insulation, good dielectric strength and excellent corrosion resistance.

Applications include high-temperature insulation, furnace linings, mufflers, gas turbines, fans, ovens, chemical reactors, expansion joint packing, high temperature filters, fire protection, sound absorption, stress-relieving insulation and non-contaminating brazing.

Cotronics Corp.
www.cotronics.com

Image courtesy of Big Dog Adhesives

Reusable Dispensing System Reduces Waste

Reload is a reusable adhesive dispensing platform intended to support consistent delivery of two-component structural adhesives while reducing packaging waste. Compared with cartridge-style dispensing systems, Reload provides more consistent metering, less exposure to air and moisture, and less material waste. When combined with foil-based packaging, the system can reduce single-use cartridge waste by up to 99 percent.

The system accurately dispenses two-part adhesives with mix ratios of 1-to-1 and 10-to-1. The flexible foil packaging minimizes trapped air and reduces residual material left behind after dispensing. Isolating adhesive components from oxygen and moisture helps to maintain material integrity during storage and use.

The platform is engineered to work with existing manual and pneumatic dispensing equipment. New dispensing guns or proprietary static mixer tips are not required.

Big Dog Adhesives
https://reloadadhesives.com