Hybrid structural adhesives break new ground

The latest line of hybrid structural adhesives, called INES – a partial acronym for Interlaced Elastomer Networks – offers high structural and damping performance. The products combine the performance of three different adhesive bonding technologies: the resistance and mechanical strength that only epoxies can usually offer; the elasticity provided by polyurethanes; and the fast assembly rate enabled by methacrylates. The supplier says that this is the first time that a structural adhesive combines elongation, low modulus and high mechanical performance with high impact, peel and shear strength, for a range of temperatures from -80° to +140°C. There is no need for a primer to obtain high performance as the bond remains flexible, yet allows rapid handling of the bonded parts. Furthermore, the adhesives can be used to join the broadest range of heterogeneous materials including treated metals, engineering composites, thermoplastics, glass and zinc. "Our durable high-performance multi-material adhesives target many different applications and can create reliable adhesive bonds where welding and riveting are now used, in particular to assemble composite materials and metals. Our adhesives are already used by world-renowned companies for large parts in sectors as demanding as automotive, boating, railway, and even aerospace," claimed Aderis innovation director Arnaud Curet. With more than 30 years of experience in adhesives and sealing technology, and facilities located near Paris (France), Aderis develops and produces innovative structural adhesives for the aerospace, electronics, automotive, railway and transportation, building and construction, and sports and leisure sectors. The company has already filed five international patents and expects that exports will account for nearly half of its sales by 2014.