image: Plastic transitioning from solid to amorphous

One of the most common terms that you hear when discussing polymers used as adhesives and coatings is the “glass transition temperature” (often abbreviated T_g). This property is in fact one of the most critical to consider when choosing the correct material for your application. Since many of us never got further than high school physics and chemistry, this term can be a little confusing and deserves explanation.

A layman’s definition of the glass transition temperature of a polymer is the temperature at which an amorphous polymer moves from a hard or glassy state to a softer, often rubbery or viscous state.

Two-component epoxies are versatile, viable adhesives and encapsulants that have demonstrated their value in the manufacture of electronics, medical devices, aerospace components, and many others. They provide superb electrical and mechanical properties along with the ability to resist extreme environments such as high and low temperatures and chemical exposure.

As part of our commitment to industry and customer support, we believe that our experience with two-component epoxies can be of value to manufacturers faced with certain processing and troubleshooting issues. While far from a comprehensive guide, we present below two common issues experienced when working with epoxies, as well as some tips on how to fix them.

The past few decades have seen the emergence and use of ultraviolet (UV) light cured polymers across a range of industries and applications. UV cured polymers have proven their value in applications such as printing inks, adhesives, and protective coatings among others.

One of the first industries to accept and utilize UV curing polymers was the printing industry. Existing technology was mainly polymers and inks dissolved or suspended in highly flammable and hazardous solvents such as Toluene and Xylene. UV curable inks and coatings were ideally suited for this industry. Their nearly immediate curing allowed for high speeds, and their 100% solids composition often eliminated the need for pollution and fire control technology.

Axis 310 and Axis 310-W are the most recent additions to Resin Designs’ growing line of medically tested and qualified adhesives. Both products are single component epoxies for simplicity in application. Their heat curing chemistry provides added temperature and chemical resistance properties. These adhesives bond to a wide range of substrates typically found in the design of high-performance medical devices.

In our previous blog we introduced one of our products GT-1030 as an effective solution to problems related to sealing and protecting wire bundles and harnesses. In this blog, we will provide a step-by-step process in how to effectively waterproof small wire bundles.

Resin Designs receives regular inquiries regarding products that can seal wire bundles, harnesses and connectors. Market sectors and applications vary from automotive connectors to consumer appliances, LED connectors/housings in lighting industries as well as directional drilling cables in gas and oil exploration. Below are examples of the inquiries:

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar technology has emerged as an accurate and cost-effective approach to motion sensing and control.  Resin Designs’ TechFilm B-Stage Epoxies (electrically conductive and structural) have been enhancing the performance of these devices.  With their precise bond line thickness and placement accuracy, the B-stage epoxy films play critical roll in ground plane formation and adhesion of patch antenna to power boards.   The technology has been front and center in the automotive arena from basic safety innovations like back up and side sensing devices to full autonomous driving development. As mmWave devices increase in number within an automobile, a number of key factors are driving development including:

Cationic and free radical are the two most popular mechanisms for UV adhesives. Approximately 93% of the UV market is in free-radical chemistry while cationic has about 7%. Although a minority of the market, cationic adhesives provide strategic advantages over traditional free-radical acrylate chemistries. These advantages are detailed below.

Resin Designs UV 165-183 is uniquely designed for thick applications as both an adhesive and encapsulant where UL V0 fire ratings are critical. The products properties include:

B-stage epoxy films for clean reliable bonding/thermal and electrical conductivity

Most of us are familiar with epoxy adhesives and coatings, especially those of us within the electronics and medical device industries. We have all seen and often used two-component liquid epoxies. They are provided in syringes or pails for dispensing as adhesives, sealants, gaskets, and coatings. There is, however, a lesser known relative that can be cleaner, more consistent, environmentally friendly, and capable of unique properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity. It is known as B-stage epoxy film.