Product Name
PLEXUS AO420 - 10:1 Ratio Cartridge - Two-part methacrylate adhesive
Brief Description
PLEXUS AO420 is a two-part methacrylate adhesive engineered for the structural bonding of thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies. This rapid-curing system is renowned for its high strength, excellent fatigue endurance, outstanding impact resistance, and superior toughness, often requiring minimal to no surface preparation.
Popular Applications & Uses
- Composite bonding in the transportation industry, including bus, truck, and rail body panel bonding.- Marine hull-to-deck and composite assembly.- Bonding of acrylic panels, frames, and metal supports in signage and displays.- Joining aluminum, steel, or powder-coated parts in metal fabrication.- Joining ABS, acrylic, PVC, or polycarbonate in plastic fabrication.- Attaching panels, brackets, and performing metal bonding in automotive and transport applications.- Bonding composite flooring to wood floors, such as in minivan manufacturing.- Bonding aluminum composite panels to building structures.- Electric motor manufacturing, specifically for bonding magnets to steel or aluminum housings.
Industries that Commonly Use It
- Transportation/ Specialty Vehicle- Marine- General Manufacturing- Metal Fabrication- Plastic Fabrication- Sign & Display- Construction/ Building Services- Automotive Service/Repair- Aerospace/Defense
Special and Unique Features
- Two-part methacrylate adhesive with a 10:1 mix ratio.- Rapid-curing system, achieving 75% of ultimate strength in 15-18 minutes.- Requires minimal to virtually no surface preparation.- Offers a unique combination of high strength, excellent fatigue endurance, outstanding impact resistance, and superior toughness.- Non-sag thixotropic gel consistency, making it suitable for vertical and overhead applications.- Capable of bonding dissimilar materials, such as metal to plastic or composites.- Cures at room temperature.- Available in multiple colors including black, cream/off-white, and blue/amber.
Key Properties
- Working Time: 4-6 minutes.- Fixture Time: 15-22 minutes.- Tensile Strength: 2,700 – 3,000 psi (18.6 – 20.7 MPa).- Lap Shear Strength: 3,000 – 3,800 psi (20.7 – 26.2 MPa).- Elongation at Break: 30-50%.- Operating Temperature: -67°F to 250°F (-55°C to 121°C).- Gap Filling: 0.03 in – 0.375 in (0.75 mm – 9.5 mm).- Excellent resistance to hydrocarbons, acids and bases (pH 3-10), and salt solutions.- Susceptible to polar solvents, strong acids, and bases.
Surface Compatibility
- Thermoplastics: ABS, Acrylics, Polycarbonate, Rigid PVC, TPUs.- Composites: FRP, DCPD, Gelcoats, Epoxy-based composites, Vinyl Esters.- Metals: Aluminum (primer suggested), Stainless Steel, Raw Steel (primer suggested), Powder-coated and E-coated metals.- Styrenics.- Urethanes (General).- Polyesters (including DCPD modified).
Known backups / known substitutes
- Plexus MA420 (often used interchangeably with AO420).- Infinity Bond MMA 420.- UltraLok® 420GB Structural MMA Adhesive.- ARALDITE 2053 Acrylic Adhesive.- Other methacrylate adhesives from brands such as 3M, ASI, LOCTITE, LORD, SCIGRIP, and Sika.
Comparison Note
Plexus AO420 (also known as MA420) is a highly regarded, high-performance methacrylate adhesive known for its exceptional durability and robust performance in demanding applications. While it may be a premium option, its reliability is well-established. Alternatives like Infinity Bond MMA 420 offer comparable high-strength, two-part adhesive properties for structural bonding of metals, plastics, and composites, often presenting a more cost-effective solution.
