Traditional one-part epoxies are rigid adhesives, often requiring a high-temperature thermal cure which results in outstanding strength at elevated temperatures. They are the most environmentally durable adhesives, standing up to extremes of heat, cold, humidity, many solvents and other conditions.
Innovations in one-part epoxy adhesives are creating more diverse portfolios, with formulations that cure at lower temperatures for greater flexibility and impact resistance. These innovative chemistries are also more conducive to bonding engineered plastics, leading to applications spanning from consumer electronics to military and aerospace.
Two-part epoxy adhesives have similar environmental resistance but involve two components which cure upon mixing rather than thermally.
Epoxies have the greatest strength and durability of all structural adhesives
Epoxies have the greatest strength and durability of all structural adhesives
Structural adhesives bond dissimilar materials and also provide insulation to resist corrosion when bonding two different metals
Structural adhesives bond dissimilar materials and also provide insulation to resist corrosion when bonding two different metals
Different chemistries provide a variety of surface preparation, open time and strength-build times so you can find the best options for your process
Different chemistries provide a variety of surface preparation, open time and strength-build times so you can find the best options for your process
Epoxy bonds have exceptional resistance to shock, vibration and impact loads
Epoxy bonds have exceptional resistance to shock, vibration and impact loads
Adhering to new materials and distributing stress along the entire bond area helps designers use thinner and lighter materials
Adhering to new materials and distributing stress along the entire bond area helps designers use thinner and lighter materials
Vibration resistance reduces opportunities for unwanted noise
Vibration resistance reduces opportunities for unwanted noise
Structural adhesives provide better product appearance through invisible joints and smooth bond lines
Structural adhesives provide better product appearance through invisible joints and smooth bond lines
Structural adhesives provide a continuous bond line to prevent the migration of fluids, dust and dirt
Structural adhesives provide a continuous bond line to prevent the migration of fluids, dust and dirt
The ability of structural adhesives to bond a wide variety of substrates allows the freedom to design for the best materials available
The ability of structural adhesives to bond a wide variety of substrates allows the freedom to design for the best materials available
3M offers both traditional high-heat one-part epoxies and newer formulations that cure at relatively lower temperatures. Explore more options to find the best one for your product and process.
Find written and video responses to structural adhesives FAQs.
Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 0870 608 0050.
Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 0870 608 0050.