Company launches adhesive for heavy, abnormal loads applications

Henkel South Africa, the local subsidiary of Germany headquartered Henkel, launched a new range of Loctite universal structural bonders that expands the capabilities of traditional adhesives.

The new range of Loctite universal structural bonders was introduced to the South African market at a product launch at Atlas Crane Hire in Germiston last month. Henkel South and sub-Saharan Africa manager Uhtred Eorwine says the range is unique because it combines the most critical attributes of structural and instant adhesives that results in an adhesive with greater bond strength, speed and durability.

The company states that it developed the new range of fast-setting, extra-strength industrial adhesives to address an overwhelming industry need for lighter and more durable bonding materials in heavy applications. The range’s ability to bond a variety of different substrates quickly and effectively will significantly extend adhesive applications in many sectors, such as the automotive, energy and even medical industries, Eorwine states.

Henkel demonstrated the strength and speed of the new bonders range by performing a vertical 8.1 t counterweight lift using the Loctite Hybrid (HY) 4070 repair adhesive. The vertical weight lift test was the first of its kind to ever be performed in South Africa, says Eorwine. The company applied a few grams of the adhesive to a metal plate that was attached to the 8.1 t counterweight. The plate supporting the counterweight was hoisted into the air after the adhesive had cured for an hour.

Eorwine states that the Loctite HY 4070 “offers ultra-fast fixture time with high-strength performance and excellent gap-fill properties, as well as good temperature, humidity and chemical resistance”. The adhesive was specifically designed for a variety of substrates, including metals, most plastics and rubbers, and is ideally suited to maintenance and repair tasks, he adds.

The range is an all-encompassing adhesive solution that aims to meet industrial maintenance and repair requirements, as well as possible design and assembly requirements.

To satisfy multiple industries and requirements, the range also includes the Loctite HY 4060 GY repair adhesive for general-purpose bonding. The adhesive, available in a 10 mℓ ready-to-use pack, is machinable and can be used across a variety of substrates, including plastics. It also provides long-lasting, high-performance durability, fast fixture time, excellent low temperature cure and enhanced safety, according to Loctite.

The range also includes the Loctite HY 4090 and Loctite HY 4080 universal structural bonders for design and assembly challenges. Eorwine explains that the HY 4090 and 4080 bonders perform well on multiple substrates, in extreme temperatures and in high vibration environments.

“These innovative adhesives create opportunities for designers and original-equipment manufacturer engineers looking for ways of improving assembly applications, streamline process steps, or bond materials in applications with difficult requirements,” he says.

Eorwine

concludes that the Loctite universal structural bonders are designed to reach beyond conventional approaches and help overcome costly challenges.