UV Adhesives Are Fast-Curing Formulas Offer Superior Adhesion To Various Substrates, Including Glass And Plastic

UV Adhesives

UV Adhesives or light-curing adhesives rely on UV radiation to trigger a free radical reaction and cross-linking of the liquid chemicals within them. This is different from many other types of adhesives that rely on a heat-based chemical process or a drying time to set. The photochemical nature of UV adhesives is what makes them unique.

Unlike solvent-based or epoxy-based adhesives, which start to harden as soon as they come into contact with air, UV glues remain in liquid form until they are exposed to a UV curing light. This is thanks to careful and clever chemistry.

UV Adhesives are extremely versatile and work well on a wide variety of common substrates such as glass, metals and plastics. They are commonly used in the assembly of consumer goods, especially electronic devices, due to their fast cure times and high reliability of adhesion and sealing.

UV bonding adhesives offer the benefit of creating invisible bonds that will not stain or discolor surfaces. The fact that the bonds are invisible makes them particularly useful for repair and restoration of delicate surface areas such as floor coverings, furniture or artwork. This includes repairing small damage, such as claw marks or scuff marks that are often caused by pets or children, making them an ideal choice for homes and workplaces with young families.

There’s a wide selection of UV glues to choose from, as an adhesive. It is important to understand the properties that impact performance and end-use. Manufacturers list this information on the product data sheet in terms of strength, shear strength, surface energy, curing time and depth, and viscosity. Optical properties, such as refractive index and color, may also be important for some applications.

UV Adhesives are often used to bond pressure-sensitive tapes in the manufacturing process. This process is usually performed using an extrusion mechanism that meters the adhesive with relative accuracy on a moving web of material, such as a carrier or liner, in a converting line. The adhesive is then transported under a UV light with a specified wavelength and power that activates the formulation to produce the desired adhesive characteristics. This type of dispensing system allows for high productivity and requires little maintenance.

A leading manufacturer of rapid curing materials and equipment, Dymax, declared their partnership with Quantum Systems in June 2022. With this new partnership, they will be focusing on providing expert technical guidance, design cost-effective manufacturing processes and develop cooperative relationships between both the companies.