New Adhesive Bonds Polypropylene

Adhesives designed for polypropylene (PP) can make an engineers life much easier across many industries, as they can opt for most cost friendly alternatives to methods such as welding. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most commonly used plastics (used in 1/4 of plastics applications) due to its strength, durability, moisture resilience and relatively low cost. However, its low surface energy (LSE) which mean adhesives can be difficult to use for bonding. SCI Grip Adhesives has developed a solution - an adhesive that works for PP. 

PP is chemically inert and resistant to many solvents, acids and bases. This resistance also reduces its reactivity with adhesives and coatings and its LSE means molecules do not readily adhere to other substances.

Designers might increase PP's surface energy through hot welding techniques or plasma treatments when bonding PP to itself. Increasing the surface temperature of PP might also enable it to bond more to adhesives that work with metals. However, this can be complex and adds additional steps to the prcoess. Mechanical fasteners such as screws and clips are required to fasten PP to metals (e.g., stainless steel or aluminium) which adds cost, weight and complexity. 

Today, engineers can specify adhesives specifically formulated to bond PP to metals, itself and other materials. 

PP is used in transportation (especially the automotive industry due to its light weight and mouldability), consumer goods, packaging, outdoor furniture, signage, industrial prototyping and many more applications. In industrial prototyping, using adhesives specifically designed for LSE materials can allow more intricate and innovative prototype designs.

When engineers are no longer restricted by the inability to bond PP, it opens the door to entirely new applications and enhances durability, strength and cost-effectiveness of existing applications. 

You can read more and see further examples in this article.

To learn more about SCI Grip Adhesive's portfolio, visit their website.