Feature

MMA structural adhesives: What you need to know

Methyl methacrylate structural adhesives (MMAs) offer strength, toughness, and ease of use when bonding metals, plastics, and composites. Their properties and processing benefits mean that they are suitable for many applications, including in the marine, transportation, and sign-making industries. Compared with alternative chemistries like epoxies and polyurethanes (PUs), the benefits and properties of MMAs are perhaps less well known.

02/04/2024 12:58:19

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Here, Ben Swanson, Chief Commercial Officer at Intertronics, shares an overview of this useful adhesive technology.

A structural adhesive is one that cures into a material capable of holding two or more substrates together, bearing the forces involved for the lifetime of the project, such as shock, vibration, chemical exposure, temperature fluctuations, or other destructive/weakening agents. Common structural adhesives are epoxies, PUs, UV curing adhesives, MMAs, and arguably cyanoacrylate adhesives.

What are MMAs?
MMAs are two-part reactive acrylic adhesives that include a resin and an activator. Mixing them together causes a free-radical reaction that enables fast curing at room temperature. Additives may include elastomeric tougheners and impact modifiers. They are typically available in two mix ratios, 1:1 and 10:1. The 1:1 adhesives generally have higher strength than the 10:1 products, but the 10:1 adhesives have higher elongation, and so more flexibility.

Read the full article in DPA's April issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.