Seeking Adhesive Technology to Accelerate Microwave Radiation Curing

A large industrial manufacturer is looking for a technology accelerating the microwave heating process of PUR hotmelt.

The advantages of microwave heating include volumetric (inside-out) heating, high selectivity, direct and fast heating, and high controllability as well as the potential for stronger bonds.

For most conventional adhesive bonding applications, parts are heated with conduction or convection. The production cycle is long due to the difficulty in heating poor thermal conductors like polymers.

The SpecialChem Client is looking for a technology that would accelerate this process, leading to an opportunity of approximately 4,000 lbs per year (around 2 metric tons).

The SpecialChem Client is currently using hotmelt adhesives in a lamination process where decorative foils are adhered to carriers. The hotmel glue is primarily polyurethane (PUR) based and is applied on the backside of a foil. In this lamination process the hotmelt must be heated up to 70-80°C in order to start the reaction of the PUR.

The SpecialChem Client is looking for an adhesive technology that would increase the speed at which the glue heats up when exposed to a microwave (high frequency) energy.

The adhesive technology must adhere to the following types of material:

• Polypropylene
• ABS/Polycarbonate
• PET
• Natural fiber (kenaf, jute or hemp) and/or wood fiber mats.

The requested technology must be incorporated in the adhesive formulation by the glue manufacturer/supplier.
The thickness of the glue when applied to the backside of the foils is between 0,05-0,4mm.

The solution could come from particles absorbing high frequency waves and generating heat such coal, graphene, carbon nanotubes. Metals such as aluminum may also be of interest.

The SpecialChem Client is not interested in ceramics nor quartz.

The SpecialChem Client would like to use the requested technology ASAP.

Technologies that are black in color are preferred over white. The SpecialChem Client is more interested in buying a formulated adhesive rather than an additive to be blended.