new blog

It has been two years now since we launched our blog, and to mark this milestone we’ve been reflecting on our blogging journey so far.

The Ellsworth Adhesives Technical blog was created with the aim of sharing our knowledge and expertise with you, our valued customers and we hope that you have benefited from this when selecting materials and equipment for your adhesive application.

We believe it is our expertise that places Ellsworth Adhesives ahead of any competitor, and it has been a pleasure to be able to impart this knowledge to a growing global audience over the past two years.

We hope that you’ll agree that our blog has grown to become a key feature of our website and adds a new dynamic to the in depth technical service we are renowned for.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you, our loyal readers for supporting the blog and hope you will continue reading each month. We do our upmost to write posts with you in mind, therefore if you have any ideas or topics you would like to see featured in future posts then please get in touch.

In honour of our blogging anniversary, this post is dedicated to our ‘Top 5 Blog Posts’, from the past two years.

 

Potting and Encapsulation

Potting is, very simply, the process of covering a component with a resin to guard against potential environmental threats. The most common use for potting is to protect against water and moisture, or to insulate electrically. However, potting can also protect PCBS and other components from thermal and physical shock, chemical attack and tampering, as well as be a physical and visual shield to protect intellectual property and consumer information.

The terms “potting” and “encapsulation” are often used interchangeably, but technically, potting refers to a process where the shell or “pot” that is filled with resin becomes a part of the finished component. In encapsulation, the component and hardened resin are then removed from the pot to be placed in an assembly.

Look back on this post.

 

 

Mixing and Degassing Technology

The processes of mixing and degassing materials need not be labourious with the aid of a Centrifugal Planetary Mixer.

A Centrifugal Planetary Mixer is an automatic machine designed to revolve and rotate a container of materials with the end goal of mixing materials and removing any air from them. The beauty of this equipment is that it has been designed to both mix and degas in one simple and programmable machine. By putting the materials into the container, the revolution and rotation can be completed simultaneously. This machine type operates using a mechanism that allows the container housing the material to be revolved in a clockwise direction, while the material itself is rotated anti-clockwise.

Find out more about our Kakuhunter range in this blog.

 

Medical Device Adhesives

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe is a distributor of Medical Device Adhesives from top manufacturers including Henkel Loctite, Dymax and Permabond. In this modern day, medical devices are becoming more practical and refined, whether this be for in use outside the body, in the form of instrumentation or surgical tools, or inside the body, for diagnostic monitoring or therapeutic purposes. Medical devices typically consist of components and materials that must be joined in some way. Due to this, adhesives for bonding medical devices should be chosen with the utmost care.

Adhesive advancements have revolutionised the Medical Device industry over recent years. Previously it was thought medical devices were impossible to glue, however these advancements have seen their use in the production of specially formulated catheters and disposable medical devices grow annually due to their ability to join plastics, metals and glass simply and consistently.

Read this post again.

 

Sealants

Sealants, as their name suggests, are designed to seal assemblies and joints. By forming a barrier between itself and the substrate, a sealant should stop water, air, gas, chemicals and/or other media from penetrating through a surface or an object.

Generally speaking, sealants contain inert filler material and are formulated with an elastomer to ensure they meet the minimum flexibility and elongation requirement.

As a global distributor of industrial sealants, Ellsworth Adhesives offers sealants from 3M, Dow Corning, Bostik, Loctite, Dymax and Permabond, this blog post will provide you with advice on selecting the most effective sealant for your application.

Find out more about our sealants range in this blog.

 

 

An Introduction to Polyurethanes and Epoxies

Polyurethanes and Epoxies are excellent bonding materials with a vast range of applications, however at times it can be difficult to understand the differences between each, especially when browsing our extensive catalogue. This blog post will outline the key differences between Polyurethanes and Epoxies with explanations of the varying product types related to them and their typical applications.

Epoxies are found in resin form with high mechanical and thermal properties. One of the most impressive features of epoxies is their versatility – a quality which has created a niche for this material in a number of industrial applications. In contrast to epoxies, polyurethanes are polymers composed of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethanes create superior bonds which require minimal surface preparation for high performance thermoplastics.

Look back on our most popular post here.

 

The preparation of industrial materials almost always begins with thorough mixing, whether this be for applications requiring adhesives, silicones, polyurethanes, epoxies, hot melts or UV adhesive materials. It is therefore crucial that mixing equipment is chosen wisely to ensure efficient processing and an overall high quality output.

We’ve highlighted the most effective industrial mixing equipment on the market to suit different budgets, with the hope of helping you make an informed choice.

 

Low Budget

The Techkit is a compact and simple method of packaging two or three component resin systems in a cartridge format.

Available in sizes ranging from 74ml to 1/10 gallon, the tech kit is beneficial since it mechanically separates the base and hardener until they are ready to be used. An internal fixing head provides a thorough blend for all types of compounds and can be disposed of entirely when the job is complete – no clean up or physical contact with the resin is required. For the most efficient results, we recommend using a tech kit with a cartridge dispensing gun.

There are three main types of TechKits available, to cater for a wide variety of applications. Firstly, the barrier type kit which is suitable for compounds with a volumetric ratio greater than 10 parts per 100, the catalyst and base are separated by an aluminium barrier formed over the mixing head. The injection type kit is most appropriate for compounds with a volumetric ratio of 10 parts or less per 100 where the catalyst is contained inside the valve mixing rod while the base is in the cartridge. Finally, the barrier/injection type kit can be used with three component compounds where components of both injection and barrier are to be combined.

Side-by-side cartridges perform the same function as a Meter / Mix / Dispense (MMD) system in a miniature, manually operated format. By opting for a cartridge over MMD equipment, a considerable cost saving can be made. Cartridges are available in a variety of sizes from 50ml through to 1500ml.

Sulzer Mixpac systems for two component adhesives are also advantageous, these side-by-side cartridge systems offer the total separation of the two components and a high level of storage stability while simultaneously preventing cross-contamination.

The range of Sulzer Mixpac systems include the B-system, a 2-K cartridge with 50ml capacity and the F-system, a 2-K cartridge with 200ml or 400ml capacity. These cartridges are available with different mixing ratios and for a wide range of mixers. The cartridges are available in PP, PBT and PA6 materials to ensure precise dosing, high process reliability, safe and clean handling and no cross-mixing.

 

Medium to High Budget

Where a reasonable budget is available for the mixing application, users should consider purchasing a metering and mixing machine or centrifugal planetary mixer.

Metering and Mixing systems are incredibly beneficial as they allow single and two component materials to be processed easily and efficiently. These machines can be integrated and mounted onto robots or used within manual application processes depending on the application demands to ensure controlled flow characteristics during dispensing.

Centrifugal Planetary mixers can degas an extensive range of single component materials or simultaneously mix and degas multi component materials, regardless of their viscosity. With several advantages over traditional mixing tools and equipment – including the ability for users to complete the mixing and degassing process in minutes – Centrifugal Planetary Mixers ensure a quicker overall process time whilst achieving a smooth end result with minimal wastage.

Fluid Research LC50FR and LC120FR fixed ratio metering, mixing and dispensing machines are digitally controlled utilising PLC, HMI touch screen technology enabling a wide range of electrical accessories and easy robot interface.

Integrated with the latest parallel drive system, the LC50FR and LC120FR ensure the consistent processing of materials with either high mix ratio and/or differing viscosities. Manufactured with Fluid Research’s ‘Posiload’ positive displacement metering pump technology, repeatable, accurate volumetric metering, mixing and dispensing of low to medium viscosity or thixotropic two-part resin systems can be assured. Epoxies, polyurethanes, silicones, adhesives or potting compounds are approved for use with the LC50FR and LC120FR.

Exclusive to Ellsworth Adhesives Europe, the SK-300S2 and SK-350T2 machines from Kakuhunter provide users with a convenient and highly effective mixing solution for mixing two component materials.

The SK-300S2 is an entry level bench top unit designed to simultaneously mix and degas materials quickly and efficiently. This versatile piece of equipment is very impressive and can process a vast range of materials, from low viscosity to high viscosity, whilst delivering uniform dispersion. The more sophisticated model, SK-350T2 is designed for larger scale production and has capacity for two cups, allowing to run a dual mixing cycle.

 

Concluding Thoughts

Over recent years the demand for dynamic metering and mixing equipment has grown dramatically – many users now require precision mixing equipment which can be used in a variety of outputs and industries; such as the automotive, electronics, medical and aerospace.

At Ellsworth Adhesives, we cater to all applications, whether it be for those who desire to achieve a simplistic result to the most refined – our extensive range of mixing equipment can assist in your application.

 Shop Metering and Mixing Equipment Now!

To make an enquiry about any of our Mixing Equipment, contact Ellsworth Adhesives Europe via email: infoeurope@ellsworth.com or alternatively call 01355 321122.

Many types of modern adhesives require both exact mix ratios and thorough mixing to be effective. Proper mixing is often as important or more important than mixing ratio. This has led to the advent of precise machinery for metering of adhesive components, as well as devices to ensure proper mixing. Two types of mixers are commercially used – dynamic and static mixers.

Dynamic mixers make sense for some applications especially where the two components are not very chemically miscible but require frequent cleaning and upkeep to prevent buildup of cured adhesive. Static mixers are often disposable and can provide the necessary mixing at a lower cost.

 

Why Static Mixers?

Static mixers are an attractive option for a number of reasons. For one, they require no energy to operate – the energy used for mixing essentially comes from a drop in flow-rate of the fluid passing through them. Adjusting the size of the mixer tip can effectively change the flow to the desired rate. Static mixers offer an upgrade to hand-mixing both in increased consistency of results and reduced addition of air to the mixture. Static mixers are generally less expensive than dynamic mixing equipment and are well-suited to applications which require multiple adhesives, as well as to mobile equipment used in large warehouses. They also make a good fit for automated equipment and for adhesives with mix ratios up to 10:1.

 

Types of Static Mixers

Static mixers can take any number of forms, each suited to particular applications and with unique advantages and disadvantages. These include in-line mixers, where components are placed as a permanent part of the dispensing line, and static-dynamic mixers, which have moving parts but are not powered. Disposable bayonet mixers, however, are by far the most common and widely applicable. Disposable static mixes take the form of a nozzle that attaches to either meter mix and dispense (MMD) or handheld dispensing equipment. Their internal components can vary greatly depending on the needs of the application. The most common are the helical type and the box chamber type. Disposable static mixers are designed to be thrown away after use which can be cost effective compared to the flushing and cleaning necessary in non-disposable mixers. They also make sense for equipment which will handle multiple adhesive types.

 

Shot Size – A larger shot size/faster dispensing will require fewer mixing elements and a larger diameter opening. Because a larger diameter usually means less-efficient mixing a balance is required between the two. Smaller shot sizes require more mixing elements and smaller diameters for an ideal mix.

Shot Frequency – Constant dispensing makes mixing easier, allowing fewer mixing elements and larger diameters. Intermittent shots require more elements to ensure proper mixing.

Adhesive characteristics – Thicker adhesive components require larger diameter openings to flow and mix properly. The difference between component viscosities will also affect the number and type of elements needed.

Materials used to manufacture the mixer nozzle will also depend on type of adhesive being mixed and maximum pressure it will need to withstand. The number and shape of mixing elements is also critical to proper mixing. Helix-shaped components are the most common, but other profiles are available that may be needed for particular mixes. The trade-off between mixing elements and minimum flow-rate will determine an exact configuration. All of these elements need to be considered when choosing a nozzle type and testing is recommended to insure proper results.

Shop our range of static mixers here. 

The content for this month’s blog post was provided by Gluespec® – a partner of Ellsworth Adhesives. 

Gluespec helps engineers to discover adhesives and other materials for their industrial applications.

 

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe supplies a range of Structural Adhesives manufactured by the Lord Corporation. The Lord Structural Adhesives range is diverse and consists of acrylic, epoxy and urethane adhesives with each category catering to different application requirements.

Structural Adhesives are incredibly high strength and have the ability to fasten structural materials, such as metals and wood, for long periods of time even when the adhesive joint is under load with typical applications generally for use within the engineering and industrial industries.

Characteristics are dependent on the particular application need and may involve a UV and light cure, fast cure or slow cure. Structural Adhesives are resistant to high and low operating temperatures and can appear flexible or rigid.

Structural Adhesive products are increasingly replacing rivets, tapes and welds in challenging applications. This blog post aims to increase your understanding of the advantages of using structural adhesives over conventional fastening methods.

 

Advantages of Structural Adhesives

Structural Adhesives offer several important advantages over conventional fastening methods.

Firstly, Stress is uniformly distributed over the entire bonded area due to the concentrated stress of rivets, bolts, spot welds and similar fastening techniques being eliminated. As a result, lighter, thinner materials can be used without sacrificing strength.

Structural Adhesives have the ability to effectively bond dissimilar materials. Due to this, laminates of dissimilar material can often produce combinations superior in strength and performance to either material alone. Adhesive flexibility compensates for different coefficients of expansion between materials such as aluminium bonded to glass for example. Adhesives also provide a film barrier to reduce or prevent bi-metallic corrosion between different metals.

There is the added benefit of the bonded material integrity being maintained, mechanical fastener holds are eliminated, as well as surface marks from spot welding and brazing. With this ‘blind fastening’, you have greater design flexibility and reduced finishing.

Structural Adhesives provide maximum fatigue resistance due to their adhesive flexibility which permits extension and recovery under repeated loading. Energy absorption properties provide up to 20 times the fatigue resistance of riveted or spot welded assemblies. Overall continuous contact between mating surfaces can be provided to effectively bond and seal against the environment.

There are additional advantages of choosing structural adhesives over conventional fastening methods, these include the ability to cut costs, increase as well as simplify production. Due to this, several factors combine for savings and efficiency including, reduced material requirements, weight reduction, elimination of drilling, welding, screw fastening and similar operations. Overall minimal training is required and generally no solvents require to be vented due to the structural adhesives being bond primed or used on pre-painted surfaces.

Shop our extensive range of structural adhesives here. 

Concluding Thoughts

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe offers a wide range of Structural Adhesives to cater to the widest of application demands. When compared with conventional fastening methods, Structural Adhesives have the added advantages in terms of cost, time, weight and performance. For the majority of manufacturing applications, Structural Adhesives can guarantee a higher strength and longevity compared to conventional fastening methods.

To make an enquiry about any of our Structural Adhesives, contact Ellsworth Adhesives Europe via email: infoeurope@ellsworth.com or alternatively call 01355 321122. Learn more about Structural Adhesives in our archived blog post.

If you are still unsure which Structural Adhesive is best suited to your application, don’t hesitate to contact ‘The Glue Doctor’ who will be happy to analyse your application needs, end product and process requirements and recommend the most appropriate material.