With the launch of Loctite UK 2073-2173, Henkel is expanding its portfolio of two-component polyurethane adhesives. Henkel says that the adhesive will contribute to reliable adhesion performance and a simplified manufacturing process.
Loctite UK 2073-2173 is primarily designed for elastic exterior bonding of automotive plastic parts like spoilers, tailgates, roof systems, bumpers, luggage racks, but also for dashboards and trim parts made of different kinds of plastics. It is specifically adapted for use on low surface energy substrates (LSE) such as PP Talc, PP LGF, PC/ABS, PC/PET. The adhesive is said to bond reliably without applying a primer. Loctite UK 2073-2173 offers an elongation of 300% and structural performance, enabling bonding of substrates with large differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE).
“Due to its versatility, elasticity and strength, Loctite UK 2073-2173 is ideal for exterior bonding applications. We are thus meeting the automotive industry's need for a reliable adhesive solution that can be easily applied to a broad range of substrates,” says Markus Roessler, business development, automotive components Europe for interior and exterior at Henkel.
For the precise assembly of large exterior plastic parts, such as spoilers and tailgates, adhesives need to not only possess fast cohesion build-up, but also provide a short but sufficient open time, which is optimised in Loctite UK 2073-2173. With 3 to 6 minutes, the open time is ideally tailored for the assembly of large components like tailgates. After application, Loctite UK 2073-2173 cures at room temperature. To reduce cycle time, the curing process can be accelerated by increasing the temperature to 60°C-70°C, at which the adhesive achieves handling strength after just one minute.
“With the ability to use a single adhesive for all substrates, without applying a primer, and with significantly reduced cycle times, we have achieved the everlasting goal of facilitating the production process for our customers worldwide,” says Rainer Schoenfeld, global market strategy director for exterior, powertrain, interior and chassis at Henkel.
