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Gluing
A number of adhesives can be used to glue TYVEK, either to itself or to other substrates. In general, water-based adhesives that provide quick tack and fast drying are preferred. However, the first step in choosing an adhesive is to determine how it will react with TYVEK. Testing a small TYVEK sample is the best way to make this determination. Natural-product adhesives based on starch, dextrin, casein or animal byproducts are preferred to synthetic-based adhesives. Hot animal glue is an excellent adhesive for adhering TYVEK to paperboard. Water-based synthetic lattices also bond TYVEK to itself and a variety of substrates. Ethylene/vinyl acetate adhesives are especially useful, as are the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Synthetic adhesives often contain low-molecular-weight materials that can act as solvents at elevated temperatures, causing swelling and wrinkling. Solvent-based single-component polyurethane adhesives provide optimum adhesion (lap and shear), flexibility and water-resistance for adhering TYVEK to itself and a variety of substrates.
Heat-Sealing/Dielectric Sealing/Ultrasonic Sealing
While it is possible to fuse TYVEK to itself using only heat, strong seals are difficult to obtain in this way because melting the material destroys its fiber structure, reducing both flexibility and tear strength in the seal area. Non-corona- treated, non-antistated styles of TYVEK are preferred for heat sealing TYVEK to itself. The molecular film of oxide and antistat on the surface of corona treated/antistated TYVEK causes a discontinuous melt to form, thus reducing the seal strength. Trim seal dies, designed with a spring-loaded restraining plate, have been used successfully for heat sealing. However, the preferred method is to apply a coating with a melting point below that of TYVEK, such as branched polyethylene. With such a coating, high seal strengths can be achieved using hot-bar or impulse techniques. TYVEK, like polyethylene film, cannot be dielectrically sealed by conventional methods. However, commercial proprietary processes have been developed that allow TYVEK to be dielectrically sealed using conventional radio-frequency equipment. Recent developments in ultrasonic sealing have also demonstrated fiber tearing seals with most styles of TYVEK, without the puckering that is often associated with heat seals of TYVEK. This process also forms strong seals to a variety of plastic films and nonwovens. For more information on sealing, contact a DuPont representative at 1.800.44.TYVEK.
Question :
Can someone recommend adhesives available in a standard hardware store - Thanks.
