If you’re a hobbyist, engineer or product designer – or you work any of the thousands of jobs that require using a high strength epoxy adhesive – we've got big news: Did you know that 3M's Scotch-Weld epoxies just launched on Gluegun.com this week? That means that no matter what you need to bond, you can find the perfect structural adhesive for your project right here.
But how do you know which one is right for you? No worries – we have you covered. Here is the ultimate guide to 3M epoxy selection for any project:
3M Five Minute Epoxies
With a work life of five minutes and a fast setting, these general purpose epoxies are best suited for hobbies, crafts and light industrial jobs. Try the 3M Scotch-Weld DP100 for a good, rigid bond or the 3M Scotch-Weld DP100NS, if you need a no-sag, machinable epoxy with higher viscosity.
3M Toughened Epoxies
Used in sports equipment, mobile electronics, turbine blades or anything a five year-old might accidentally (or otherwise) direct their awesome destructive power toward, toughened epoxies are for finished products that are going to endure a lot of jostling, rustling and general roughhousing. Try the 3M Scotch-Weld DP420 for a powerhouse structural adhesive with just a 20 minute work life, or the 3M Scotch-Weld DP460 for the ultimate in shear and peal adhesion and outstanding durability.
3M Epoxies for Large Surface Areas
Got a job requiring bonding large surfaces, such as home improvement/renovation projects or coating a table or bar top, but don't want to put a bunch of holes in your project to use rivets, welds and screws? Large surface epoxies are for you – and 3M's Scotch-Weld epoxies are used in everything from semi-truck sides to elevator doors, so you know they can be trusted. Structural performance is a priority with these projects, so check out the two-part 3M Scotch-Weld LSB60, which is a toughened large surface epoxy with a 90 minute work life. If you need the adhesive to have some flexibility to it, the 3M Scotch-Weld LSB90 is your go-to instead.
3M Electrical Epoxies
Got an electrical or electronic job? With the increasing prevalence and sophistication of consumer electronics, people expect high performance and high durability from their devices. They're too expensive to have the adhesive come apart under minimal duress! 3M's Electronic Grade epoxies have much lower ionic and outgassing impurity contamination levels than standard epoxy adhesives, so you can use them for your most important – and sensitive – components. The DP420, mentioned above, is an Electronic Grade epoxy. If you are working with glass diodes, sensors, transformers, coils, relays or the like, you can also look into the 3M Scotch-Weld DP270, which is perfect for sealing and encapsulating components – it provides good shock resistance and high retention of electrical insulation without corroding copper, even in high humidity.
We are excited to feature these 3M Scotch-Weld products here at Gluegun.com, because we know that no matter the job, there is an epoxy adhesive that is perfect for it. What are your experiences with 3M's structural adhesives and epoxies? Do you have a favorite product or a success story from one of your projects? Share with us in the comments.