Structural adhesive

[1981US]

We would like to use some type of structural adhesive to bond a HR steel sheet and a very high density molecular weight polyethylene. We will appreciate help on:
1-web site for the adhesive
2-any similar applications
3-wether this will work or no?
4-if yes to above 3,the precautions before application ?
5-any other input is highly appreciated

thank you

 

[unclesyd]

I don't know of any readily available adhesive system that will even come close to structurally bonding these two materials. The only reliable method was to mechanically fasten the PP to CS.

After saying all the above, there has been some work recently on reviving the use of an activated surface on the PP for the application of an adhesive. I don’t know where this stands now.
We tried surface activation several years ago but the results were not up promises, we went back to mechanically fastening the PP to the substrate. .

 

[corrosionman]

1981US Doer HR mean heat resisting ?
If so what temperature are you working with?
Although it does not really matter you are obviously refering to Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Or UHMWPe for short - - often called pE1000 in the u.k.
Nothing will stick to this. It can not even be welded by the usual hot air techniques. There is a lower grade (and weight )
called Pe500 it also cannot be welded. If you go right down to the lowest commonly met grade it can be welded (Pe 300 ) Possibly you are rebuilding a scrwe conveyor. ?
As Unclesyd says, mechanical fixing only way but watch out for different thermal expansion.
Cheers CM

 

[1981US]

Thank you for your answers. The HR stands for hot rolled. I am not trying to weld the UHMWPe,but I want to use an adhesive to bond it to a HR steel.
I know that I can mechanically bond the two (steel and plastic) but I am looking at using another way (adhesive)to eliminate potential problems on our product.

Thank you.

 

[MintJulep]

Contact 3M, Dupont, Loctite (Henkel), and Master Bond for their recommendations for this application.

However, as corrosionman aptly pointed out regarding UHMW, "nothing will stick to it", at least not very well.

Possibly you could make your base steel part with some retaining features and have the UHMW molded directly onto the steel.

 

[BillPSU]

Bonding to the hot rolled steel itself is a problem. The surface will have to be prepared by first removing the scale and then getting the best hook. The next problem with the steel is corrosion will occur between the adhesive and the the steel. The final problem will be getting adhesion to the PE. To print on PE they flame treat the surface and reduce the surface tension of the poly.

My experience is with steel being bonded to fiberglass booms(aerial lift trucks). The bonds failed mostly through corrosion. Regularly customers would complain about "black stuff" running out of the fiberglass/steel joint overlap area. The black stuff was rust being washed out by rain. The glue bond area was sealed using RTV but eventually the problem returned. The adhesive was changed to a 2-part epoxy but the problem still exists. During usage the booms are flexed and moved by the forcing acting on the boom and the loading can be in all directions.