Plexus MA310 MMA Adhesive

Plexus MA310 is a two-part, 1:1 methacrylate (MMA) structural adhesive for bonding thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies. It is a medium-cure grade that dispenses as a non-sagging gel and cures to a stiff, high-strength bond. Fabricators choose MA310 over faster Plexus grades when parts are large, beads are long, or the assembly needs time to square up before clamping. Cartridges mix through a static mixer as you dispense, so there is no hand mixing and no ratio guesswork. Bulk pails and drums run through 1:1 meter-mix equipment.

Plexus MA310 Key Product Details

Cure Profile by Temperature

Lap Shear Strength by Substrate (ASTM D1002)

Substrate failure on PVC and polyester means the plastic broke before the bond did, so those numbers reflect the part, not the adhesive. The TDS lap shear table notes PC120 Cleaner Conditioner alongside the metal results, so match your prep to how you test.

Performance in Production

• The 15 to 18 minute working time at 75°F gives an operator time to run long beads, set large panels, and square the assembly before it starts to set. That is the main reason to pick MA310 over Plexus MA300, which ITW lists at 3 to 6 minutes.
• Plan clamp time on the 500 psi column, which is 44 to 46 minutes at 75°F. A 90°F shop cuts that to about 24 minutes, and a 60°F shop stretches it to 52. Hold material temperature steady through the year so beads dispense and cure the same way every shift.
• Both components run 40,000 to 70,000 cP and dispense as a non-sagging gel. Beads hold their shape on vertical and overhead joints.
• Gap tolerance is 0.01 to 0.125 in (0.25 to 3.2 mm). Put down enough adhesive to fill the joint completely when the parts are mated. For gaps past 0.125 in, look at Plexus MA530 or MA560-1.
• Peak exotherm reaches 300°F (150°C) in a 10 g mass. A large mass mixed at once can trap air and release steam and volatiles. Dispense only what you can place within the working time, and keep the bond line within the 0.125 in gap limit.
• The cured bond is stiff: Shore D 80, 238 to 322 kpsi tensile modulus, and 20 to 40% elongation. It suits assemblies where stiffness matters. If the joint has to flex with the part, call us about a higher-elongation Plexus grade.
• On raw metal, a dry rag or light solvent wipe may be enough. Oxidation, scale, and fluids on the part affect the bond. The aluminum lap shear sample failed adhesively, which tells you surface condition drives the result on bare aluminum. Test your parts.
• Bulk pails and drums need explosion-proof dispensing equipment with stainless steel wetted parts. Avoid brass, carbon steel, copper, and copper alloys in fittings and pumps. Use Teflon, Teflon-coated PVC foam, ethylene/propylene, or polyethylene seals, not Viton, Buna-N, or Neoprene.
• Store between 55°F and 77°F. Exposure above 80°F shortens shelf life, and above 100°F degrades it quickly. Cool storage at 45°F to 65°F can extend it. Let cold material come back to room temperature before dispensing.

Common Applications

• Thermoplastic assemblies in ABS and ABS blends, acrylic, PBT, polycarbonate, rigid PVC, and TPU
• Composite bonding on FRP, gelcoat, DCPD, phenolics, epoxy-based composites, and RIM parts
• Metal-to-plastic and metal-to-composite joints on aluminum, steel, and stainless steel
• Powder-coated and e-coated metal assemblies
• Sign fabrication, including channel letters, sign structure and support, and lighting and accessory mounting
• Furniture manufacturing, including wood composite structures, legs and hardware, and mixed-material assembly
• Solar assembly at structural support points and on electronic assemblies

Available Sizes

Cartridges contain both components. Bulk ships as two separate containers, and you need the Part A adhesive and the Part B activator to run the system. The IT406 and IT408 activators are also listed by ITW for Plexus MA300.

Related Products

• Chem-Set PAK-50 Manual Dispensing Gun for 50ml 1:1 cartridges
• Dispensers, static mixers, and nozzles for 50ml and 400ml cartridges
• Plexus PC120 Cleaner Conditioner for metal surfaces where your testing calls for it
• Plexus MA300, the faster 1:1 grade for small parts and short cycles
• Plexus MA530 and Plexus MA560-1 for larger gaps and longer open time

How to Dispense and Bond Plexus MA310

MA310 is a two-part system that mixes as it dispenses. The steps below follow the ITW technical data sheet for cartridge use.

1. Prep the surfaces. They should be free of grease, dirt, and other contaminants. On plastics, coated metals, and raw metal, a dry rag or light solvent wipe may be enough. Oxidation, scale, and fluids on metal affect the bond. Dust-free composites can often be bonded as is, or lightly abraded to remove mold release and add surface area. Test your own parts to confirm the prep.
2. Check the temperature. Apply between 65°F and 85°F. Colder or hotter shop conditions will slow or speed the cure significantly.
3. Load the cartridge into a 1:1 dispensing gun and remove the end caps.
4. Attach a static mixer and expel one mixer’s length of adhesive to waste.
5. Apply enough adhesive to one substrate to fill the joint completely once the parts are mated.
6. Mate the parts within the working time.
7. Fix the parts in position until the adhesive reaches handling strength. Use the cure profile table above to set clamp time for your shop temperature.
8. Clean up before the adhesive cures. Citrus terpene or NMP-based cleaners, degreasers, or soap and water work on wet material. Cured adhesive comes off by careful scraping followed by a cleaning wipe.

This process runs on thermoplastics, composites, coated metals, and raw metals. Bulk users follow the same prep and temperature rules, with meter-mix equipment handling the 1:1 ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plexus MA310 used for?

Plexus MA310 is used for structural bonding of thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies where the operator needs a medium working time to position parts. It is a methacrylate adhesive. Methacrylate, MMA, and structural acrylic adhesive all describe the same chemistry family. Shops use it in sign fabrication, furniture manufacturing, solar assembly, and general OEM production.

What is the difference between Plexus MA300 and MA310?

The difference is working time. MA300 gives 3 to 6 minutes per the ITW selector guide, and MA310 gives 15 to 18 minutes at 75°F. Both are 1:1 Plexus methacrylates. Pick MA300 for small parts and fast cycles, and MA310 for larger parts, longer beads, and assemblies that need time to line up.

What is the working time and fixture time of Plexus MA310?

Working time is 15 to 18 minutes at 75°F, and the adhesive reaches 500 psi in 44 to 46 minutes. Use the 500 psi time to plan clamp time. At 90°F those drop to 8 to 9 minutes and 24 minutes. At 60°F they stretch to 19 to 20 minutes and 52 minutes.

What plastics and composites does Plexus MA310 bond?

ITW lists ABS and ABS blends, acrylics, PBT, polycarbonate, rigid PVC, and TPU on the plastics side. On the composites side it lists DCPD, FRP, gelcoat, phenolics, epoxy-based composites, and RIM. Polyethylene and polypropylene are not on the list. Call us before specifying MA310 on those or on any substrate not listed here.

Does Plexus MA310 sag on vertical joints?

No. MA310 dispenses as a non-sagging gel, so beads hold their shape on vertical and overhead joints.

What sizes does Plexus MA310 come in?

MA310 comes in 50ml and 400ml twin cartridges for hand or pneumatic guns, plus 5 gallon pails and 50 gallon drums for meter-mix equipment. Bulk ships as a Part A adhesive and a Part B activator, and you need both.

Where is Plexus MA310 made?

Plexus MA310 sold in North America is made in the USA by ITW Performance Polymers.

Questions on fit for your bonding application? Call (800) 220-1966 or email [email protected].

Plexus is a registered trademark of Illinois Tool Works Inc.