ULTRACURE 530, Clear Structural Adhesive for Acrylic and Polycarbonate
Description
ULTRACURE® 530 is a two-part, 10:1 structural adhesive for acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) in thick sections. This clear adhesive bonds these plastics to themselves and to metals such as aluminum, and it also bonds ABS.
It is intended for highly engineered structures —high-vacuum chambers, swimming pools and other equipment made of acrylic or polycarbonate— and it is also recommended for channel letter assembly.
Dispensed from a 10:1 dual cartridge through a static mixing nozzle, it keeps its strength across a service temperature range of −54 to 249 °F (−48 to 121 °C) and resists UV light, humidity and water. UV resistance describes the performance of the cured adhesive: 530 cures by chemical reaction between resin and activator, not under a UV lamp.
In ASTM D 1002 shear testing it exceeds 1,261 PSI (8.7 MPa) on acrylic/acrylic, 1,145 PSI (7.9 MPa) on polycarbonate/polycarbonate and 1,044 PSI (7.2 MPa) on acrylic/aluminum, with substrate failure on every pair tested.
Plastic to Aluminum
Bonds acrylic, polycarbonate and ABS to aluminum: over 1,435 PSI (9.9 MPa) on ABS/aluminum with substrate failure (ASTM D 1002).
UV, Humidity and Water
Resists UV light, humidity and water, and keeps its strength from −54 to 249 °F (−48 to 121 °C).
Clear Structural Adhesive
Both resin and activator are clear. Dispensed at 10:1, it leaves 4–6 min of open time for assembly.
How Do You Apply ULTRACURE 530 Adhesive for Acrylic?
1. Prepare the surfaces to be bonded: they must be clean, dry and free of contaminants. ULTRACURE 530 requires minimal surface preparation.
2. Load the 10:1 dual cartridge into a manual or pneumatic applicator gun for 10:1 cartridges and purge the cartridge before attaching the static mixing nozzle.
3. With the nozzle in place, purge again until the adhesive shows a uniform color. The mix warms up as it reacts, both during and after mixing; this is expected.
4. Apply enough adhesive for the joint to be completely filled once the parts are clamped.
5. Mate the surfaces within the open time (4–6 min) and keep the parts undisturbed until handling strength is reached (10–15 min).
6. Full cure is reached in 24 hours at 77 °F (25 °C); cure is slower below 56 °F (13 °C) and faster above 84 °F (29 °C). Heating to 121–140 °F (49–60 °C) for 15 minutes speeds up the cure.
7. Remove the nozzle after use and cap the cartridge. Mixing nozzles are single-use.
ULTRACURE 530 adhesive for acrylic comes in 10:1 dual cartridges of 50 ml and 490 ml.
What Are the Specifications of 530 Adhesive for Acrylic?
- Two-part clear structural adhesive with a 10:1 mix ratio by volume.
- Verified substrates: acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), ABS and aluminum. As an adhesive for polycarbonate, it bonds PC to PC and to aluminum.
- Use only 10:1 cartridges and compatible mixing nozzles: an incorrect mix ratio results in incomplete cure. Outside 56–84 °F (13–29 °C) cure times change.
- The curing reaction is exothermic: do not accumulate large masses of mixed adhesive or leave adhesive in the nozzle or in closed containers.
- Flash point: see SDS. Keep away from heat sources, sparks and open flames.
- Use in well-ventilated areas with the personal protective equipment indicated in the SDS. Read the SDS before use and keep containers tightly closed when not dispensing.
Uncured Material
Property | Part A | Part B |
Appearance | Clear | Clear |
Viscosity | 78,000–97,000 cP | 26,000–29,000 cP |
Mix ratio by volume | 10 | 1 |
Cured Adhesive
Open time | 4–6 min |
Working time (handling) | 10–15 min |
Full cure | 24 h |
Service temperature | −54 to 249 °F (−48 to 121 °C) |
Shore D hardness | 22–28 |
Modulus @ 1% strain | 90,600–94,900 PSI |
Elongation | 29–34 % |
Full cure at 77 °F (25 °C).
Lap Shear Strength (ASTM D 1002)
Substrates | Strength | Failure mode |
Acrylic (PMMA) / Acrylic (PMMA) | >1,261 PSI | Substrate failure |
Polycarbonate / Polycarbonate | >1,145 PSI | Substrate failure |
ABS / ABS | >1,363 PSI | Substrate failure |
ABS / Aluminum | >1,435 PSI | Substrate failure |
Acrylic (PMMA) / Aluminum | >1,044 PSI | Substrate failure |
Polycarbonate / Aluminum | >1,145 PSI | Substrate failure |
Single-lap joints with the substrate pairs indicated.
Storage and Package Sizes
Store at 40–77 °F (4–25 °C) in a cool, dry, ventilated area, protected from heat sources, sparks and open flames; storage above room temperature shortens the shelf life. Shelf life: 12 months from manufacture date, in the original unopened container. Package sizes: 10:1 dual cartridge, 50 ml and 490 ml.
What Do People Ask About 530 Adhesive for Acrylic?
It is a two-part, 10:1 clear structural adhesive for thick acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate that bonds them to themselves and to aluminum; it also bonds ABS. It cures by chemical reaction between resin and activator.
Yes. In ASTM D 1002 testing it exceeds 1,145 PSI (7.9 MPa) on both polycarbonate/polycarbonate and polycarbonate/aluminum, with substrate failure: the bonded material breaks before the bond.
Yes. As an adhesive for acrylic and aluminum, it exceeds 1,044 PSI (7.2 MPa) shear strength on acrylic/aluminum (ASTM D 1002) with substrate failure. For metal joints, surface preparation should be evaluated as part of process validation.
It is recommended for thick acrylic and polycarbonate structures such as high-vacuum chambers and swimming pools. Its technical data sheet does not state joint tightness, vacuum outgassing or permanent immersion performance; in those projects, joint tightness, outgassing of the cured adhesive at the operating vacuum level and performance under pressure differential or immersion are validated before full-scale implementation.
With 530, open time is 4–6 min from the moment the adhesive leaves the nozzle; parts reach handling strength in 10–15 min and full cure in 24 hours at 77 °F (25 °C).
No. UV resistance describes the performance of the cured adhesive; 530 cures by chemical reaction between the resin (Part A) and the activator (Part B), with no UV lamp and no ambient moisture.
Yes. Besides thick structures, 530 is also recommended for channel letter assembly. Its verified substrates are acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS and aluminum.
From −54 to 249 °F (−48 to 121 °C). Within this range 530 keeps its strength, and it also resists UV light, humidity and water.
Before it cures, clean excess adhesive off the work area and the application equipment using a suitable cleaning solvent that meets local VOC regulations. Mixing nozzles are single-use: replace the nozzle at each application and keep the cartridge capped.
Where to Buy ULTRACURE 530?
Find it through our distributor network in 50 ml and 490 ml 10:1 dual cartridges.
Are you a distributor? Join our network and offer your customers 10:1 structural adhesives for bonding acrylic and polycarbonate.