In industrial environments where heat is constant and performance is critical, high temperature adhesives are the key to reliable and efficient bonding. These advanced materials are reshaping how manufacturers join components in industries ranging from aerospace to electronics.
What is a High Temperature Adhesive?
A high temperature adhesive is a bonding material engineered to maintain its performance under elevated thermal conditions. Unlike conventional adhesives, these are specifically formulated to resist degradation when exposed to heat, chemical agents, or mechanical stress.
Their ability to create durable joints without the need for mechanical fasteners makes them ideal for lightweight, high-performance designs in sectors such as transportation, construction, and energy. They are capable of bonding metals, thermoplastics, composites, and more—even in thermally challenging environments.
Types of High Temperature Adhesives
There are several types of high temperature adhesives, each with unique characteristics tailored to specific industrial needs:
1. Methacrylate Adhesives (MMA)
Methacrylate adhesives are reactive acrylic systems typically composed of a resin and a hardener or initiator. One of their most remarkable features is their ability to cure rapidly at room temperature, delivering strong and flexible bonds.
Key characteristics:
- High resistance to shear, peel, and impact stresses
- Tolerance to poor surface conditions, such as oil or dust
- Ability to bond a wide range of substrates: metals, plastics, composites, glass, and wood
- Built-in rubber toughening for flexibility during thermal expansion and contraction
These adhesives are widely used in fast-paced production environments and structural bonding, especially where bonding dissimilar materials is necessary.
Example: Plexus MA8105
A next-generation MMA adhesive designed for bonding metals and plastics, Plexus MA8105 offers high strength, fast cure times (12–15 minutes), and temperature resistance up to 82°C. It performs exceptionally well on coated metals and semi-crystalline thermoplastics, making it ideal for automotive and industrial manufacturing.
2. Epoxy Adhesives
Epoxy adhesives are among the most widely used structural adhesives, known for their outstanding mechanical properties and temperature resistance. Most epoxies are two-component systems that cure chemically, though single-component versions also exist.
Key characteristics:
- High tensile and shear strength (resisting > 40 MPa)
- Excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, fatigue, and moisture
- Low shrinkage and long-term durability
- High creep resistance under load
- Available in various viscosities for different applications
Epoxy adhesives are the preferred choice for applications that demand high rigidity and strength, including structural assemblies in aerospace, wind turbines, marine, and sports equipment.
Example of 1 Part Heat Cure Epoxy: Permabond ES558
Permabond ES558 is a single-part, heat-cure epoxy is the ultimate adhesive solution for industries demanding high-strength and reliable bonds with temperature resistance up to 200°C. Designed for professionals, this versatile adhesive is perfect for automotive, aerospace, electronics applications and heat exchangers.
Example of 2 Part Epoxy: Araldite 2019
This two-component epoxy adhesive offers a continuous temperature resistance up to 140°C, excellent toughness, and high shear strength (~35 MPa). It’s ideal for bonding carbon composites in lightweight vehicles, drones, and marine components.
3. Silicone Adhesives
Silicone adhesives, made from polysiloxane chains, provide unmatched thermal and chemical stability due to the strength of their silicon-oxygen bonds. They are highly flexible and can perform under both extremely high and low temperatures.
Key characteristics:
- Exceptional temperature resistance (from -65°C to 260°C continuously, up to 315°C intermittently)
- Excellent UV, weather, and chemical resistance
- Low toxicity and excellent dielectric properties
- Cure options include room temperature (RTV) or high temperature
Silicone adhesives are ideal for sealing and bonding in appliances, aerospace components, and industrial ovens, where flexibility and high thermal resistance are essential.
Example: DOWSIL™ 736 Heat Resistant Sealant
A one-part silicone adhesive that remains stable under continuous heat exposure up to 260°C, withstanding 315°C intermittently. Its non-sagging formulation and FDA/UL compliance make it ideal for sealing heating elements, oven belts, and other high-heat applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between methacrylate and epoxy high temperature adhesives?
Methacrylate (MMA) and epoxy adhesives are both used in high temperature environments, but differ in composition, curing behavior, and flexibility. MMA adhesives cure rapidly at room temperature and provide flexible, impact-resistant bonds, even when bonding dissimilar materials. In contrast, epoxy adhesives offer superior rigidity, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength, making them ideal for highly structural applications. For example, Plexus MA8105 (MMA) withstands up to 82°C and excels in fast-paced production lines, while Araldite 2019 (epoxy) maintains performance at continuous temperatures up to 140°C, especially for carbon composites.
What makes silicone adhesives ideal for extreme high-temperature applications?
Silicone adhesives are inorganic polymers with a silicon-oxygen backbone, providing excellent stability at both low and high temperatures. Their ability to withstand continuous exposure to 260°C and intermittent spikes up to 315°C makes them uniquely suited for demanding environments like ovens, smoke stacks, or aerospace components. For instance, DOWSIL™ 736 is a non-slumping, one-part silicone sealant that remains flexible and effective under extreme heat, outperforming many organic-based adhesives.
Which high temperature adhesive is best for bonding metals and plastics in industrial applications?
For bonding a mix of metals and plastics in industrial settings, methacrylate adhesives are highly effective due to their strong adhesion to difficult substrates and fast fixture times. Plexus MA8105, for example, is designed specifically for these multi-material combinations, offering a working time of 5 minutes and bonding strength that holds up even at 82°C, making it suitable for automotive, construction, and electronics manufacturing environments.