Product Name
3M Scotch-Weld DP420 Off-White 20-Minute Toughened Epoxy Adhesive
Brief Description
3M Scotch-Weld DP420 Off-White is a high-performance, two-part toughened epoxy structural adhesive. It is engineered to provide excellent shear and peel adhesion, along with high impact and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for demanding bonding challenges. This adhesive offers a 20-minute work life, allowing time for positioning and adjustment before curing, and can replace mechanical fasteners in many applications.
Popular Applications & Uses
- Joining, gluing, attaching, and assembling various materials- Structural bonding and panel bonding- Potting applications- Small joint assembly and heavy-duty mounting- Metalworking and carbon fiber epoxy bonding- Repairing components requiring high strength and durability- Replacing mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets, and spot welds
Industries that Commonly Use It
- Aerospace/Defense- Automotive Service/Repair- Cabinet & Woodworking (for bonding wood)- Construction/ Building Services (for building and home construction)- Electrical Services or Products (for electronics and bonding electrical connectors)- Energy (including solar and wind energy applications)- General Manufacturing (for general industrial bonding)- Government & Military- LED/Electronics- Marine (for boat assembly)- Metal Fabrication (for metalworking and bonding metals)- Military- Plastic Fabrication (for bonding various plastics)- Prosumer (for sporting goods, hobbies, and crafts)- Transportation/ Specialty Vehicle
Special and Unique Features
- Toughened for high impact and fatigue resistance, ideal for challenging environmental conditions- High peel and shear strength ensures lasting bonds even at high and low temperatures- 20-minute work life provides ample time for accurate positioning and adjustment of parts- Cures at room temperature, offering convenience, with faster curing achievable with heat- Can withstand paint bake operations up to 400°F (204.4°C) for 60 minutes- UL 94 HB certified, indicating a level of flammability resistance- Controlled flow for precise application
Key Properties
- Adhesive Type: Two-part epoxy structural adhesive- Mix Ratio (Base:Accelerator): 2:1 by volume- Work Life: Approximately 20 minutes (at 72°F/22°C)- Handling Strength: Reaches in approximately two hours- Full Cure Strength: Achieved in 24 hours (at 72°F/22°C)- Color: Off-White (also available in black)- Shear Strength: Up to 4500 psi (typical)- Specific Gravity: 1.13 (typical)- Shore D Hardness: 77 (typical)- Viscosity (Base): 20,000-50,000 cP (typical)- Viscosity (Accelerator): 8,000-14,000 cP (typical)
Surface Compatibility
- Metals (e.g., aluminum)- Ceramics- Wood- Glass- Many Composites (e.g., carbon fiber)- Various Plastics
Known backups / known substitutes
- 3M Scotch-Weld DP460: Offers ultimate shear and peel adhesion with outstanding durability, but has a longer work life (60 minutes).- 3M Scotch-Weld DP100: A fast-curing, rigid bond epoxy with low viscosity, suitable for hobbies and light industrial jobs.- 3M Scotch-Weld DP100NS: A no-sag, machinable epoxy with higher viscosity for similar applications.- 3M Scotch-Weld DP125: Provides a flexible structural bond, ideal for bonding dissimilar surfaces or where flexing and vibration resistance are needed.- 3M Scotch-Weld DP190: Offers shock and impact resistance with a longer working time (80 minutes).- Other structural adhesive classes: Polyurethane, acrylic, and cyanoacrylate adhesives.
Comparison Note
3M Scotch-Weld DP420 stands out as a toughened epoxy, specifically designed for applications requiring high impact and fatigue resistance, where a 20-minute work life is beneficial for assembly and positioning. While other 3M epoxies like DP100 offer faster cure times for general purposes or DP460 provides even higher ultimate strength, DP420 strikes a balance, offering robust structural bonding capabilities and environmental durability. It is a preferred choice for replacing mechanical fasteners due to its strength and resistance to stress and environmental conditions.
