Araldite 2020 is a two-component, room temperature curing, low viscosity adhesive specifically designed for glass bonding. It is also suitable for bonding a wide variety of metals, ceramics, rubbers, rigid plastics and most other materials in common use.

Application

• Large Industrial Composite Structures
• Wind turbine blade assembly
• Bonding metals, ceramic, rubbers, rigid plastics

Features

• Low viscosity, water white adhesive
• Especially suitable for glass and ceramic bonding
• Suitable for clear castings and laminates
• Refractive index similar to that of glass

Typical cured properties

Unless otherwise stated, the figures given below were all determined by testing standard specimens made by lap-jointing 170 x 25 x 1.5 mm strips of aluminium alloy. The joint area was 12.5 x 25 mm in each case.
The figures were determined with typical production batches using standard testing methods. They are provided solely as technical information and do not constitute a product specification.

Average lap shear strengths of typical metal-to-metal joints (ISO 4587) Cured for 16 hours at 40 oC and tested at 23°C
Pretreatment – Sandblasting

Lap shear strength versus immersion in various media (typical average values)
Unless otherwise stated, L.S.S. was determined after immersion for 90 days at 23°C

Lap shear strength versus heat ageing
Cure:16 hours/40ºC

Processing

Pretreatment
The strength and durability of a bonded joint are dependants on proper pretreatment of the surfaces to be bonded. At the very least, joint surfaces should be cleaned with a good degreasing agent such as acetone, trichloroethylene or proprietary degreasing agent in order to remove all traces of oil, grease and dirt.

Alcohol, gasoline (petrol) or paint thinners should never be used.

The strongest and most durable joints are obtained by either mechanically abrading or chemically etching (“pickling”) the degreased surfaces. Abrading should be followed by a second degreasing treatment. Resin and hardener should be blended until they form a homogeneous mix.

Application of adhesive

The resin/hardener mix is applied with a spatula to the pretreated and dry joint surfaces.
A layer of adhesive 0.05 to 0.10 mm thick will normally impart the greatest lap shear strength to a joint.
The joint components should be assembled and clamped as soon as the adhesive has been applied. An even contact pressure throughout the joint area will ensure optimum cure.

Equipment maintenance

All tools should be cleaned with hot water and soap before adhesives residues have had time to cure. The removal of cured residues is a difficult and time-consuming operation.
If solvents such as acetone are used for cleaning, operatives should take the appropriate precautions and, in addition, avoid skin and eye contact.

This product is part of the Huntsman Araldite range