Product Name
- PLEXUS MA1020 Two-part Methacrylate Adhesive IT222X / IT225 / IT225
Brief Description
- Plexus MA1020 is a two-part methacrylate adhesive engineered for high-strength structural bonding.- It is specifically designed for joining thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies.- This adhesive offers very low cure shrinkage and very low odor, making it a standard for structural bonding applications.
Popular Applications & Uses
- Structural bonding of various materials including thermoplastics, metals, and composites.- Bonding aluminum, stainless steel, and raw steel.- Adhering to powder-coated or E-coated metals.- Joining composites such as DCPD, FRP, Gelcoat, Phenolics, Epoxy Based Composites, and RIM.- Bonding thermoplastics like ABS/ABS Blends, Acrylics, PBT, Polycarbonate, Rigid PVC, and TPUs.- Used in bus, truck, and rail manufacturing for bonding floors, interior panels, dividers, roof assemblies, and body panels.- Repairing with structural adhesives.
Industries that Commonly Use It
- Aerospace/Defense- Automotive Service/Repair- Construction/Building Services- Fabrication- General Manufacturing- Marine- Metal Fabrication- Plastic Fabrication- PVC Trimboard- Transportation/Specialty Vehicle
Special and Unique Features
- Very low cure shrinkage.- Very low odor due to odor blocking technology.- Requires virtually no surface preparation for many applications.- Provides excellent fatigue endurance.- Offers outstanding impact resistance.- Superior toughness.- Low modulus and high elongation for great stress distribution.- Rapid strength gain, achieving approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 15 to 20 minutes.- Available in blue color.
Key Properties
- Product Type: Two-part methacrylate adhesive.- Mix Ratio (by volume): 10:1.- Working Time: 4-6 minutes (at 23°C/74°F).- Fixture Time: 15-20 minutes (at 23°C/74°F).- Tensile Strength: 1,750 – 2,000 psi (12.1 – 13.8 MPa).- Shear Strength: 1,250 – 1,600 psi (8.6 – 11.0 MPa).- Tensile Elongation: 90% – 110%.- Gap Filling: Up to 0.375 inches (9.5 mm).- Operating Temperature: -40°F to 180°F (-40°C to 82°C).- Viscosity (Adhesive A): 100,000 - 130,000 cP.- Viscosity (Activator B): 35,000 - 80,000 cP.
Surface Compatibility
- **Thermoplastics:** ABS/ABS Blends, Acrylics, PBT, Polycarbonate, Rigid PVC, TPUs.- **Metals:** Raw metals (Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Raw Steel, etc. with PC120), Coated metals (Powder coated or E-coated Metals).- **Composites:** DCPD, FRP, Gelcoat, Phenolics, Epoxy Based Composites, RIM, Polyesters (including DCPD modified), Styrenics, Urethanes (general), Vinyl Esters.
Known backups / known substitutes
- While Plexus MA1020 is a specific formulation, other methacrylate adhesives from brands like 3M, Loctite, ASI, SCIGRIP, and SikaFast may offer similar performance depending on the specific application requirements.- Other Plexus MMA adhesives like MA1025, MA2015, MA330, MA420, MA830, MA832, MA2230, MA2245, MA550, MA590 are mentioned as alternatives or related products within the Plexus line, each with slightly different properties or target applications.
Comparison Note
- Plexus MA1020 stands out for its combination of very low cure shrinkage, minimal odor, and the ability to achieve strong structural bonds on a wide range of dissimilar materials with little to no surface preparation.- Its low modulus and high elongation contribute to excellent stress distribution, enhancing the durability and fatigue resistance of bonded joints compared to some other adhesive types.- The rapid working and fixture times make it efficient for manufacturing and assembly processes.
