Dymax, a manufacturer of rapid curing materials and equipment, is offering an innovative, patent-pending adhesive platform: Hybrid Light-Curable (HLC) technology. HLC combines the top qualities of anionic and free radical chemistries.

This next-generation UVCA technology enables curing in light and darkness with either UV/Visible light or a combination of UV/Visible light and contact/moisture. Hybrid light-curable adhesives exhibit the exceptional physical and performance properties of Dymax light-curable adhesives and the rapid moisture/contact cure of anionics. The contact curing feature allows bonding to a broad range of substrates, including opaque and light-blocking materials, and in shadow areas not reachable by light.

The primary advantages of HLC adhesives include fast cure, low-to-no blooming after proper light cure, better aesthetics, humidity resistance, and more flexible joints than ordinary CAs. Substrates don’t need to be translucent, and exposure to light curing increases the integrity of the bonds.

Dymax products with HLC technology provide an alternative to existing chemistry types on the market, including 1- and 2-part epoxies, cyanoacrylates, hotmelts, mechanical fasteners, RTV silicones, PSAs, and UV acrylics. Although these various joining methods are suitable options for component assembly, they also present challenges that hybrid light-curable adhesives can overcome, such as blooming and aesthetics, slow cure, low impact resistance, and limited long-term moisture exposure.

HLC one-component materials also help solve many pain points that manufacturers cite as issues such as messy assembly lines, in-process inventory, environmental concerns, and dispensing and automation challenges. Additional potential advantages of hybrid light-curable adhesives include less heat generation during cure, reduced stress cracking, and high gap-filling properties.

The products also exhibit low-to-no surface tack and are safer to use. These attributes help contribute to productivity improvements and cost reductions in the assembly process. HLC products are an excellent choice for companies seeking to optimize manufacturing systems and eliminate the need for multiple chemistries and additional steps associated with traditional bonding methods.

Dymax has also developed dispensing systems for these hybrid light-curable adhesives to follow best dispensation practices.

Features

• Combines the best qualities of anionic and free radical chemistries
• Cure with UV/Visible light or a combination of UV/Visible light and contact/moisture
• Fast curing in light or darkness
• Bond opaque and light-blocking substrates
• One-part formulations – no mixing
• Solvent-free, RoHS compliant
• Low-to-no blooming after proper light cure and better aesthetics
• Humidity independent
• Very low intensity (20 mW) required to cure