BARENDRECHT, Netherlands – Manufacturers who use adhesives to bond composite materials now have a viable option to achieve no-prep performance in room-temperature bonding of SMC, RTM, and open-mold composites: new Pliogrip® 8400 polyurethane adhesive from Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH).
Pliogrip 8400 adhesive delivers performance capabilities unlike other urethane adhesives. “Some customers have demanded elimination of sanding and other surface preparation in room-temperature bonding of SMC, while others have sought alternatives to methacrylate-based adhesives on RTM and open mold composites such as hand-sprayup. With Pliogrip 8400 we’ve been able to meet both demands,” said John Baetz, senior product manager, PLIOGRIP adhesives, Ashland Performance Materials.
“This is truly a breakthrough product that allows improved productivity in certain SMC applications. It also allows the use of a urethane instead of an acrylic in certain other applications, thereby allowing manufacturers to avoid potential flammability, odor and VOCs associated with acrylic adhesives,” he said.
Pliogrip 8400 adhesive is being highlighted at a technical presentation at the JEC Composites show in Paris. The presentation provides insight to the new product’s capabilities when compared to acrylic adhesives and other urethane adhesives. “We are very excited to be able to present our research to the participants at JEC,” added Baetz. “This show attracts the best in the industry and this gives us the opportunity to highlight one of the premiere products being introduced to the world this year.”
Ashland Performance Materials is the number one global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, and metal casting consumables and design services.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential needs and industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.
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