new blog

Innovative New Henkel Loctite Underfill Material Now Available to Order

19 February 2019 by Chelsie Grierson

The newly launched Henkel Loctite ECCOBOND UF 1173 is now available to order from Ellsworth Adhesives Europe, adding to our extensive range of specialty chemicals.

This one component, epoxy underfill has been created for the next-generation of high reliability electronics applications. It is designed to provide a uniform and void-free encapsulating underfill, which maximises a device’s temperature cycling capability and dissipates stress away from solder joints and connections.

Loctite ECCOBOND UF 1173 is fast curing and provides essential interconnect protection from shock, drop and vibration. It can be jet or needle dispensed and is fast flowing in and around tight spaces. Furthermore, the innovative encapsulant has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and exhibits high glass transition (Tg) temperature capability of 155°C. Once applied, it boosts mechanical strength and provides robust environmental protection.

Henkel’s new underfill system offers high performance in electronic applications for the aerospace and automotive sectors. The increasing use of fine-pitch array devices such as chip scale packages (CSP) and ball grid arrays (BGA) in these areas mean that interconnect protection is essential for long-term durability and performance. ECCOBOND UF 1173 can withstand the high operating temperatures which exist within smaller, higher-functioning devices whilst maintaining a high level of performance and processing.

Manufactured with health and safety as a key focus, ECCOBOND UF 1173 does not contain any reportable REACH SVCHCs (as of June 2018), and is not CMR classified.

Shop ECCOBOND UF 1173 now.

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe is an official supplier of Henkel Electronics materials. To enquire about this new Henkel Loctite underfill or any other products in our range please contact: infoeurope@ellsworth.com .

Visit: www.ellsworthadhesives.co.uk/henkel-loctite

5 Tips to Avoid Bond Failures

8 February 2019 by Chelsie Grierson

Graphic showing difference between adhesive failure and cohesive failure — Click to enlarge.

Adhesives provide a versatile bonding method and are used industry-wide. Whilst the bond is usually strong and durable, unfortunately bond failures can occasionally happen.

There are two main types of bond failure which commonly occur. When the adhesive separates or pulls away from one or both substrates, but does not tear, this is known as an adhesive failure. In contrast, a cohesive failure occurs when the adhesive physically separates or splits by itself.

Read on to find out our 5 top tips to avoid frustrating bond failures in future applications…

Choose the right adhesive for your substrate

Selecting the correct adhesive is the most crucial stage to ensuring a strong, long lasting bond. Different adhesives adhere better to different substrates, therefore choosing one which is incompatible may lead to the adhesive to improperly cure. It is also important to consider the environmental and external conditions the bond will be exposed to. This includes the temperature, chemical exposure and impact or vibration.

Unsure if your chosen adhesive is correct for your application? Our Ellsworth Glue Doctor is always here to help.

Preparation is key!

4 Types of Surface Preparation Infographic — Click to enlarge

Care should be taken to ensure the substrates are ready for bonding. If a substance such as oil, grease or dirt is present it can lead to bond failure. Effective surface preparation is key to ensure optimum bonding conditions and long-term adhesion.

There are various methods and products available for surface preparation such as:

View our entire range of surface preparation products here.

Carefully check your application requirements.

Adhesives require different actions in order for the curing process to occur. This includes factors such as cure time, cure temperature and the amount of pressure applied during the process. It is important to check each of these requirements prior to applying to the substrate and ensure you have the time and equipment required.

Furthermore, the adhesive should be applied in a consistent manner across the entire bond line to ensure an even and high strength bond. If there is too little adhesive applied, this can cause cracking or separation of the surfaces. Similarly, if too much adhesive is applied then this can take too long to set and cure causing a weak bond and an untidy finish to the substrate.

Get Your Ratio Right!

Two component adhesives provide a strong and extremely reliable bond; however, they do often require manual mixing and preparation before they can be applied. An inaccurate mix ratio can affect the chemical properties of the adhesive and lead to a weak or failed bond. Furthermore, if the mixing process takes too long then the adhesive can become too viscous and should not be applied. Ensuring that time is taken to follow the mixing and measuring method carefully is essential with a two-component adhesive.

Unsure or struggling to maintain the exact ratio required? Our Pre-Mixed & Frozen resin service can help. Learn More.

Don’t Stress!

Like selecting the correct adhesive for your substrate, consideration should be taken regarding the level of stress the finished bond will be faced with. Different adhesives have different levels of flexibility which can withstand stress better than others. If an adhesive cannot hold up against the joint stress, failure can occur. Adhesives such as flexible cyanoacrylates allow for a good level of movement within the joint and between substrates which can withstand this stress. Our other top picks include Robnor ResinLab PX628FF and Permabond UV670.

Additional Links:

Want to know more about surface preparation? Check out our “Guide to Surface Preparation” post for a more in-depth overview of each method.

If you have any other queries regarding bond failures or selecting the correct product for your application, please don’t hesitate to ask our Ellsworth Glue Doctor who can answer all your technical questions. Simply fill out our enquiry form.

Ellsworth Adhesives Announce Brand-New Range of Tooling Products

28 January 2019 by Chelsie Grierson

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe is pleased to introduce a brand-new line of tooling products to its extensive portfolio.

The new range has been designed for use in the composites and foundry industries and comprises of over a hundred products including polyurethane and epoxy boards for styling, modelmaking and tooling – as well as specialist resin systems, close contour materials and reaction injection moulding.

The addition of this new tooling line marks a subtle change in direction for Ellsworth Adhesives, since it is the first product range of its kind to feature in the distributor’s catalogue.

Managing Director John Henderson comments “In this challenging marketplace, we must innovate to remain competitive and ensure continued growth. Our diversification into tooling opens us up to new markets yet the product offering remains complementary to our core business – the supply of materials and dispensing equipment. We are eager to see how this new division will develop in the coming months and years and we are hopeful of a prosperous future.”

With the European Tooling sector enjoying an annual average turnover of $13bn, Ellsworth Adhesives is entering a lucrative market. Ensuring it is well positioned to service its demands, the distributor will welcome two new technical sales engineers into its team. Paul Moore and Graham Flanagan have a combined 70 years in the industry, giving them invaluable knowledge and experience.

The new range of tooling products is being marketed as ‘Ellsworth Tooling Solutions’ and is available for online purchase now via the Ellsworth Adhesives website.

View our new Tooling Range here: https://www.ellsworthadhesives.co.uk/tooling/

New Fisnar F4000 Advance Desktop Dispensing Robots available at Ellsworth Adhesives Europe

15 January 2019 by Chelsie Grierson

Ellsworth Adhesives is delighted to announce the addition of the new Fisnar Advance series of benchtop dispensing robots & accessories to its extensive dispensing product range.

This exciting new robotics collection significantly upgrades Fisnar’s existing F4000N range with enhanced product features and the addition of three completely new models, plus multiple size variations to accommodate customers’ diverse spectrum of dispensing requirements. The F4000 Advance Series contains a total of 4 Models – 3 Axis, 4 Axis, 5 Axis and a Dual Table Robot option.

The core function of all F4000 Advance benchtop dispensing robots is to ensure precise fluid placement and positioning. When configured with a syringe, cartridge or valve system, F4000 Advance robots achieve the highest level of positional accuracy and repeatability. Additional features include a USB port for data transfer and back-up, program selector switch and fluid purge button.

The F4000 Advance supporting software is user friendly and enables the creation of complex dispensing routines – such as dots, lines, circles, arcs and fills – that can be set up and operational using the included teach pendant. Furthermore, Fisnar’s proprietary programming software is Microsoft Windows based and gives users the opportunity to import DXF files into the robot program, allowing dispense lines or dots to be quickly created from the imported CAD data in the software. This capability dramatically reduces programming time for complex dispense patterns, or when there is a high number of dispense positions.

A stand-out feature of the F4000 Advance robot platform is that has been designed to accommodate a range of bolt-on robot accessories, easily attached to its modular connectivity back-panel. Robot accessories are excellent tools for improving efficiency even further and options include input/output (I/O) expansion module, auxiliary rotation axis, CCD Camera vision system, remote operation box, height sensor, tip alignment module and a tip adjustment kit.

The 3 axis and 4 axis models are available in four sizes from 300 x 300 mm through to 600 x 500 mm. The 5 Axis robot has a working area of 500 x 500 mm and provides both a rotational vertical axis and a horizontal axis for applying adhesives and sealants on curved, vertical or difficult to reach applications. Finally, the dual table robot allows for high speed manufacturing due to the elimination of part changeover and loading time. This is made possible with the removal of finished parts and the loading of new parts on the fixture of one table, while the other table is being processed by the robot.

Enquire Now about the Fisnar F4000 Advance Series from Ellsworth Adhesives.

Additional Links:

View Ellsworth Adhesives extensive range of dispensing equipment here: https://www.ellsworthadhesives.co.uk/product-category/dispensing-equipment/

View the complete range of accessories.

8 Ways Adhesives are Reshaping the Automotive Industry

17 December 2018 by Chelsie Grierson

The automotive industry is constantly evolving and seeking new ways to ensure our vehicles are fit for purpose and keep us safe. Implementing powerful and efficient bonding methods is a highly important part of the vehicle production process.

Modern day automotive manufacturers are increasingly using adhesives as their bonding method of choice as they are versatile and offer a huge array of benefits over traditional fastening methods such as welts and rivets. Global car manufacturer BMW produced their streamlined i3 all-electric car using Dowsil (Dow Corning) adhesives in 2014 to overcome any out-dated production issues.

Structural adhesives, hot melt adhesives and adhesive tapes are all commonly used in the automotive manufacturing process and can be found everywhere from the upholstery to under the bonnet. Read on to find out 8 ways that automotive adhesives are revolutionising the automotive industry…

Increase in Eco-Conscience Consumers

There is an increasing demand for cars and vehicles to be produced using lightweight materials to keep the overall weight to a minimum. Traditionally, the exterior material such as steel or aluminium would be welded, and additional weighty mechanical fasteners would be used to join the components. Adhesives reduce interior and exterior weight of the vehicle when used as a bonding method and therefore will maximise fuel economy and lower emissions. This allows for more eco-friendly vehicles to be produced, including all electric cars.

Long Wearing

Adhesives offer a stronger bond than welts and rivets as the bonding occurs over the surface area of the joint. As the adhesive distributes its force in a more efficient way, this reduces wear and tear through vibration, impact or contraction and expansion of the material. This is particularly powerful when bonding the exterior or frame work of a vehicle.

Optimal Joining of Diverse Material

Modern streamlined cars are composed of a composite mix of materials including glass, rubber, plastics and metal, and the ability to create strong bonds between these is crucial to the robustness of the vehicle. Automotive adhesives such as structural adhesives and hot melt adhesives can effectively bond a wide range of substrates making them a perfect fit.

Aethetically Pleasing

Adhesives are highly versatile and can keep up with the latest trends without taking away from the vehicles visual appeal. They are practically seamless once applied and require no drilling or welding. They work particularly well in areas such as the interior fabric seat covers, visors and dashboard components where the bond may be visible to passengers.

Faster Production

Increased production and faster processing times are crucial within the manufacturing industry, meaning that traditional methods can simply take too long. Adhesives such as hot melts are a great alternative as they require very little open and setting time. As parts no longer need to be drilled or mechanically attached when using adhesives, the assembly process is simplified and can allow for a greater turnover.

Bond Hard to Reach Areas

Traditional welding tools cannot reach certain areas of the vehicle, therefore are limited to which elements they can bond. Structural and hot melt adhesives work particularly well to combat this as they can be used to cover a large surface area as well as obscure or tight areas with ease.

Effective in Demanding Applications

Hot melt adhesives are commonly used to bond the car interior such as carpets and upholstered seats which face daily rigorous wear and tear. They are also commonly used in areas such as side and door panelling which require a high level of durability. Similarly, structural adhesives can be used in highly heat-sensitive areas such as within electronic equipment.

Resilient to External Factors

Welts and rivets can often begin to rust when exposed to air or water, which takes away from the aesthetic as well as loosening the fastening. Adhesive tape has become a key component in the attachment of external finishers such as nameplates, wheel trims and spoilers as they have outstanding resilience to external conditions and provide a long-lasting bond. Adhesive tape can also be used in applications requiring low movement of parts or to control noise from vibration.

Our Top Picks:

Permabond ES5741

Lord 320

Lord Ap134

3M Scotch Weld Hot Melt Adhesive 3748

3M Scotch Weld Hot Melt Adhesive 3762

3M UHMW Polyethylene Tape 5421

Shop our extensive range of adhesives here.

Additional Links:

Unsure which adhesive would suit your application best? You can ask our Glue Doctor! Simply fill out our enquiry form regarding any product or technical queries you may have.

New Fisnar DTD50 Multi-Ratio Dispense Tool Available at Ellsworth Adhesives Europe

23 November 2018 by Chelsie Grierson

The newly launched Fisnar DTD50 50ml Multi-ratio 2K Dispense Tool is now available to order from Ellsworth Adhesives Europe.

The DTD50 is a pneumatically controlled dispense tool for precise dispensing of two component materials packed into 50ml side-by-side cartridges.

Boasting a weight of just 280g, the DTD50 is the industry’s lightest 50ml multi dispense tool.

The DTD50s simple operating system allows for small, accurate and repeatable fluid deposits to be applied to a component when attached to a Fisnar dispense controller. The device could further be used for downpacking into Fisnar QuantX™ syringes when precise micro shot dispensing is required. The lightweight and durable design of the DTD50 makes it ideal for handheld use, with an optional trigger handle attachment available if required. Additionally, the dispense tool can be mounted onto a stand for hands-free dispensing. This will eliminate operator fatigue and alleviate symptoms of RSI.

The universal tool is compatible with all differing ratios of 50ml cartridges. With a standard configuration for dispensing 1:1 and 2:1 ratio material, the DTD50 can also be quickly converted to dispense 4:1 and 10:1 ratio material using the included piston. A storage facility at the rear of the tool allows for safe and secure storage of pistons when not in use. As the DTD50 is equipped to dispense the widest range of mix ratios, it differs from any other dispensing tool on the market and will suit a vast array of production needs. It will join Ellsworth Adhesives Europe’s extensive range of dispensing equipment.

Visit the DTD50 product page here.

Ellsworth Adhesives Europe supplies a wide range of dispensing equipment and accessories from leading brands such as Fisnar and Techcon. View our portfolio here.