Bonding Plastics and Dissimilar Materials

Solvent-free adhesive bonding or joining of plastics with light curable adhesives can vary from a relatively simple process to something that is extremely challenging. Variables such as component configuration, molding humidity, surface energy, light transmission, and operating environment all influence which adhesive and bonding process best suits the application. On occasion, additional processes must be incorporated to mitigate some of these variables. For example, the bonding of plastics with low surface energy may require a pre-treatment process using plasma or corona discharge. Increasing surface energy improves the substrate’s “wettability”, which can dramatically improve adhesive bond strength.

The pioneering adhesive formulators at Panacol-USA have found methods to create more robust adhesives that possess greater cohesive strength with improved adhesion to a broader array of plastic substrates. Panacol-USA’s expertise in light curable adhesives has led to the development of much desired soft, flexible adhesives of the Vitralit® brand that can be cured under low intensity UV and UV/Visible light. Despite using lower light intensity, Panacol-USA’s adhesives fully cure in seconds, and exhibit dry, tack-free surfaces. These low intensity curable adhesives are part of Panacol-USA’s LEDcure product line.

Vitralit® adhesives for bonding plastics and dissimilar substrates can be cured with UV, UV/Visible, or only visible light wavelengths. High strength bonds are achieved with a wide variety of substrates, including combinations of polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, polyurethane, polyethylene, stainless steel, and glass. They are well suited for assembling consumer appliances and electronics, screens and displays, product packaging, and a host of other applications involving combinations of plastics, metals and glass.

Glue for bonding plastics

Solvent-free uv adhesive is used for bonding even hard-to-bond substrates like PEEK 

UV curing equipment:

UV system solutions with Panacol uv adhesives and innovative curing systems from Honle

Assembly of trophy cases, jewelry display cases and other acrylic display cabinets requires adhesives that produce extremely high bond strength with a clear, hard, finish that resists yellowing with age. Panacol-USA reccommends the following adhesives in combination with the portable Honle UVAHAND 250 high-intensity handheld UV lamp for in-shop or onsite acrylic display case assembly.

The table below provides a selection of plastic adhesives from Panacol that are suitable for bonding plastic and dissimilar material components.

Adhesive/plastic bonder Viscosity [mPas] Base Curing* Properties Substrates
Vitralit® 1720 2,700-3,700 epoxy UV High temperature resistance Bonding thermoplastics
Bonding FR4 or ABS
suitable for bonding pretreated PET
Vitralit® 1722 5,000-8,000 (LVT, 25 °C, Sp. 4/30 rpm) epoxy UV Very high adhesion to most thermoplastics
low shrinkage
high temperature resistance
Bonding thermoplastics
Bonding FR4 or ABS
suitable for bonding pretreated PET
Vitralit® 4730 70-150 acrylate UV
VIS
Capillary flow
flexible and tear-proof adhesive
suitable for potting
dry surface
Bonding PC (Polycarbonate)
hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN
PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass)
Joining glass and plastics
Joining metals to plastics
Vitralit® 4731 900-1,500 (LVT, 25°C, Sp. 3/30 rpm) acrylate UV
VIS
Dry surface after curing,
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI and ISO 10993-5 standards
Bonding PC /Makrolon, hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN, PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass)
Bonding glass, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass
Vitralit® 4731 VT 4,000-8,000 acrylate UV
VIS
dry surface after curing
flexible and tear-proof
excellent adhesion to many plastics
bonding PC (Makrolon), hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN, PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass)
joining glass and plastics
joining metals to plastics
Vitralit® 4732 VT 7,000-9,000 acrylate UV
VIS
Very high adhesion to many plastics
dry surface after curing
flexible and tear-proof
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN, PC 
Joining glass and plastics
Joining metals to plastics
Vitralit® 4735 HC 700-1,000 acrylate UV
VIS
secondary heat cure
Very high adhesion to many plastics
dry surface after curing
flexible and tear-proof
suitable for potting
Bonding PC, PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN
Joining glass and plastics
Joining metals to plastics
Vitralit® 5140 250-500 acrylate UV
VIS
Flexible,
well suited for bonding plastics with low UV translucence and permeable to visible light,
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards
Bonding ABS, PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), hard-PVC, PET, SAN, PC 
Joining glass and plastics
Joining metals to plastics
Joining plastics with various substrates
Vitralit® 5140 VT 5,000-10,000 (Rheometer, 25°C, 10s^-1) acrylate UV
VIS
High resistance to thermal stress and moisture
Flexible and stable
Low shrinkage, optically clear
Joining dissimilar subjects
Bonding PET, PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, ABS, SAN, hard-PVC
Joining plastics and glass
Joining plastics and metals
Joining plastics to various substrates
Vitralit® 7044 VLV 10-100 acrylate UV
VIS
High peel strength
perfect solution for bonding large surfaces
flexible
Bonding Latex, NBR, SBR, TPE, rubber
Vitralit® 7090 VHS 40-100 acrylate UV
VIS
Dry surface,
very high adhesion to plastics,
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards
Bonding PC (Makrolon), hard-PVC, ABS, SAN
Vitralit® 7283 70-130 acrylate UV
VIS
Perfect solution for bonding large surfaces
very high adhesion to glass
metals and plastics
resistant against all common sterilization methods
plastics /glass bonding
suitable for elastic bonding of large surfaces
Vitralit® 7311 30-100 acrylate UV
VIS
High resistance to alcohols and moisture
non-yellowing
very high adhesion to plastics, glass and metals
suitable for bonding large areas
certified according to USP Class VI
Bonding PC (polycarbonate)
PVC,  PMMA,
ABS, glass and metals
Vitralit® 7313 40-70 acrylate UV
VIS
Flexible
high elongation at break
perfect solution for bonding large surfaces
very high adhesion to plastics
glass and metals
Bonding plastics such as 
PC,  PVC,  ABS  
Bonding glass and metals
Vitralit® 7631 100-300 acrylate UV
VIS
Very high shear strength and bond strength
excellent adhesion to plastics
capillary flow behavior
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PVC
Vitralit® 7641 10-100 acrylate UV
VIS
Specially formulated for bonding PMMA
high adhesion
capillary flow
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PVC
Vitralit® 7642 1,500-2,500 acrylate UV
VIS
Excellent adhesion to many plastics
high bond strength
excellent flow properties
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PVC
Vitralit® 7989 3,000-5,000 acrylate UV Excellent adhesion to plastics, especially to PC and PMMA;
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards
Bonding hard-PVC, ABS, SAN, PUR, PC
Vitralit® 9140 VL 1,000-2,000 acrylate UV
VIS
Flexible
high resistance to moisture
cures thick layers of adhesive
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PVC, ABS
Vitralit® UD 5134 15,000-25,000 acrylate UV
VIS
secondary heat cure
Acrylate-Hybrid
low thermal expansion
low shrinkage
impact resistant
dry surface
grey color
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PET, ABS, SAN, FR4, PBT, hard-PVC
Bonding plastics and metals 
Vitralit® UD 5180 4,000-6,000 epoxy UV
secondary heat cure
Perfect solution for bonding flexible circuit paths
resistant to reflow processes
grey color
thermoplastics
PA
Vitralit® UV 2113 19,000-32,000 (Rheometer, 25°C, 10s^-1) acrylate UV
VIS
Acrylate hybrid
superior strength
low thermal expansion
impact resistant
low shrinkage
resistant to soldering stress
excellent flow properties
Bonding PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass), PC, PET, ABS, SAN, FR4, PBT, hard-PVC 
Bonding plastics and metals 
Vitralit® UV 2150 140-500 acrylate UV
VIS
Modified acrylate
impact resistant
fast curing
very high adhesion to plastics
Bonding PMMA, PC, hard-PVC, ABS, SAN, PET 
Bonding plastics in combination with glass or metals
Vitralit® VBB-1 1,000-1,500 acrylate UV
VIS
Elastic
high peel strength
optically clear
very flexible
suitable for potting
Bonding PC (Polycarbonate), PMMA
Bonding plastics to glass
Vitralit® VBB 1 Gel 12,000-30,000 acrylate UV
VIS
Elastic
high peel strength
optically clear
very flexible
stable gel
Bonding PC (Polycarbonate), PMMA
Bonding plastics to glass
Vitralit® VBB-2N LV 10-100 acrylate UV
VIS
Flexible
perfect solution for bonding large surfaces
high peel strength
Plastics and rubber bonding
suitable for bonding PMMA, PC, hard-PVC, PET, ABS, SAN, FR4, PBT in combination with glass and metals 
Vitralit® VBB-N 50-150 acrylate UV
VIS
Transparent
elastic
high peel strength
Bonding PC (Makrolon)
PMMA (Plexiglas®, acrylic glass) 
Bonding plastics to glass
Structalit® 5604 25,000-40,000 (Rheometer, 25 °C, 10s^-1) epoxy thermal Fast curing
red color
fixing components on PCBs
SMD applications
Bonding PA (Polyamid), PI, FR4, PET 
Bonding plastics in combination with various other plastics
Structalit® 5800 12,000-22,000 part A (LVT 25°C, Sp. 4/12 rpm); 500-800 part B (LVT 25°C, Sp. 2/30 rpm); 7,000-15,000 mix (LVT, 25°C, Sp. 4/30 rpm) 2-part epoxy thermal, room temperature High temperature resistance
short pot life
fast application
Bonding thermoplastics and FR 4
Structalit® 5810-1 1,000-1,500 part A (LVT 25°C, Sp. 3/30 rpm); 3,500-4,500 part B (LVT 25°C, Sp. 4/30 rpm); 3,000-4,000 mix (LVT, 25°C, Sp. 4/30 rpm) 2-part epoxy thermal
room temperature
Very high adhesion to PC
resistant to moisture and chemicals
Bonding glass, thermoplastics and FR 4
Cyanolit® 200 1-3 cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Capillary flow Ideal for bonding PVC, ABS, PA (Polyamid), PC, EPDM
Cyanolit® 201 1-3 cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Capillary flow Ideal for bonding PVC, ABS, PC, PA
Cyanolit® 202 70-100 cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Capillary flow Ideal for bonding PVC, ABS, PC, PA
Cyanolit® 203 TX shear thinning cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards Ideal for bonding PA, PC, ABS, PVC, EPDM
Cyanolit® 241 F 30-50 cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Capillary flow,
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards
Ideal for bonding PVC, ABS, PA, PC, PMMA, aluminium, steel, copper
Cyanolit® 732 F 230-350 (LVT, 25 °C, Sp. 2/60 rpm) cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Film forming,
suitable for bonding porous materials,
biocompatible: certified to USP Class VI standards
Ideal for bonding PVC, PMMA, ABS, PA, PC, EPDM, stainless steel
Cyanolit® 811 F 4-12 (LVT, 25 °C, Sp. 2/60 rpm) cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
odorless Ideal for bonding PMMA, PVC, ABS, PA (polyamid), PC (polycarbonate)
Cyanolit® Gel 10 100,000-240,000 cyanoacrylate moisture,
room temperature
Shear thinning
gel-like
Ideal for bonding polycarbonate (PC), PMMA, PVC, ABS, PA

*UV = 320 - 390 nm          VIS = 405 nm

To download the technical datasheets (TDS) please click on the adhesive name.