Contact Cement – A Heavy Duty Product with Heavy Duty Choices
Contact adhesives are adhesives that are coated on two mating surfaces and are ideal for attaching large surfaces together, like laminate, wood, plastic, flooring, and mounting panels. Contact cements tend to be fast-acting and when cured form a “tacky” and permanent bond. At Chemical Concepts, we have several contact adhesive options for you to choose from, and in this blog we’ll detail and few of these and discuss their advantages and specialties.
The Chem-Set 205
The AW205 from in-house brand, Chem-Set, is a solvent-based contact adhesive that is best used for bonding materials such as decorative laminate, wood, particleboard, rubber, hardboard, plywood, and others. The 205 is set apart for its “spray-ability,” its capacity to be “post-formable,” an excellent resistance to heat, and its oil and waterproof capabilities.
Other Features
- Fast-drying
- Requires no clamping
- Good spray pattern
- Long open time
- Aggressive grab tack
- Especially good for foam bonding applications***
The Chem-Set 300M
The 300M, another contact cement from Chem-Set, is a non-flammable, high solids elastomer specifically formulated for use with various types of polystyrene foams, plastic laminates, aluminum panels for recreational vehicles, mobile homes, modular panels, carpeting for decks and boats, and more.
Features
- Non-Flammable
- Low VOC/OTC compliant
- Spray Grade
- High Solids make-up
Chem-Set 305 Low VOC
Perhaps the most popular contact adhesive of the group, the Chem-Set Low VOC is the most conducive for bonding foam materials, as its spray break up and fluid distribution greatly protects the integrity of foam, rather than attacking it. The 305 should be used in all of the same applications as the 300M, but is, unlike its counterpart, a flammable solution.
Features
- High resistance to water, humidity, and alcohol
- High heat, creep and dead load resistance
- Versatile – can bond a host of foam, laminate, wood, metal, and carpet material
Application tips/facts for the Chem-Set 305
- Substrates should be under at least 20 psi within the limitations of the substrate.
- After 20 psi is applied between the two substrates, machining can be done all but immediately.
- Your adhesive coat should be dry typically within five minutes of application. (2-5 minute drying range)
- 90% cure is reached within 12 hours and full strength is achieved within 2-3 days.
The Chem-Set Q520
The final contact cement option we’ll cover in this blog is the Q520 from who other than Chem-Set. This clear contact adhesive is VOC compliant in all 50 states, has very high shear strength, and is specially formulated to bond in high pressure situations. The Q520 is often used with laminates to substrates like wood, particleboard and plywood.
The Q520’s special caveat, and one that makes it unique in contrast with the rest of the pack, is its ability to be used as a permanent bond for other compatible non-porous and porous substrates – other than traditional use with woods, boards, paneling, etc.
If you have any questions or comments on contact cements, or anything else for that matter, we invite you to contact us!
[email protected] – 800.220.1966
