Plexus MA530 MMA Structural Adhesive – Part A Adhesive – 50 Gallon Drum

The Plexus MA530 50 gallon drum adhesive is the Part A component of a two-part, 1:1 methacrylate (MMA) structural adhesive system for meter-mix equipment. It runs with the 50 gallon drum of Part B activator at a 1:1 ratio by volume, and neither container works alone. Mixed, MA530 bonds thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies and dispenses as a non-sagging gel with a moderate working time. Production boat builders use it on deck-to-hull joints, stringers, bulkheads, and liners. With the standard Part B activator it mixes gray. Made in the USA by ITW Performance Polymers.

Plexus MA530 50 Gallon Drum Adhesive Key Product Details

Mixed System Properties (Part A and Part B at 1:1)

Full cure profile by temperature and lap shear data by substrate are on the Plexus MA530 gray 400ml cartridge page. The mixed system is the same.

Performance in Production

• A 1:1 ratio by volume and by weight keeps the metering setup simple. Both components meter at equal volume, and the Part A and Part B containers have to be used together.
• Working time starts when the two components meet and is 30 to 40 minutes at 75°F. A 90°F shop cuts it to 10 to 15 minutes and a 60°F shop stretches it to 45 to 50, so size your bead runs to the shop temperature.
• Both components change viscosity with temperature. ITW says to hold material temperature reasonably constant through the year so the adhesive and activator dispense consistently.
• Bulk equipment must be explosion proof. Every part that touches the liquid should be stainless steel, and brass, carbon steel, copper, and copper-containing alloys stay out of fittings and pumps.
• Use Teflon, Teflon-coated PVC foam, ethylene/propylene, or polyethylene for seals and gaskets. Viton, Buna-N, Neoprene, and other elastomers are not recommended.
• Peak exotherm reaches about 200°F (93°C) in a 30 g mass, and a large mass can release steam, air, and volatiles. Dispense only what you can place within the working time, and keep the bond line within the 0.70 in gap limit.
• 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 containers come back to room temperature before use.

Common Applications

• Deck-to-hull joints on composite boats in production
• Stringers and bulkheads in composite hulls
• Hull liners
• Composite-to-metal and composite-to-thermoplastic bonding, including FRP, gelcoat, and epoxy-based composites
• Medium-sized wind blade repairs
• Carbon fiber composite assemblies bonded in place of wet layup
• Thermoplastic assemblies in ABS and ABS blends, acrylic, PBT, polycarbonate, rigid PVC, and TPU

Available Sizes

Bulk ships as two separate containers, and you need the Part A adhesive and the Part B activator to run the system.

Related Products

• Part B activator, 50 Gallon Drum, the matching container you need to run the system
• Plexus MA530 400ml Gray and Plexus MA530 400ml White for hand or pneumatic dispensing
• Plexus PC120 Cleaner Conditioner for metal surfaces where your testing calls for it
• Plexus MA310, the 1:1 grade with a shorter working time for smaller parts and quicker cycles
• Plexus MA560-1 and Plexus MA590, the 1:1 grades ITW lists with longer working times and wider gap fill
• The full Plexus adhesive line and our Plexus marine adhesives collection

How to Bond with Plexus MA530 from Bulk Containers

MA530 mixes as the two components meet in the dispensing equipment. The steps below follow the ITW technical data sheet.

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. Dust-free composites can be bonded as is or lightly abraded. Use Plexus PC120 Cleaner Conditioner on metal where your testing calls for it.
2. Check the temperature. Apply between 65°F and 85°F, and keep material temperature steady through the year.
3. Confirm you have the matching Part A adhesive and Part B activator, both inside their 6 month shelf life.
4. Meter the two components at 1:1 by volume through explosion-proof equipment with stainless steel wetted parts and approved seals.
5. Apply enough adhesive to one substrate to fill the joint completely once the parts are mated. Dispense only what you can place within the working time.
6. Mate the parts within the working time to get maximum bond strength.
7. Fix the parts in position until the adhesive reaches handling strength. Use the cure profile on the gray 400ml page to set clamp time for your shop temperature.
8. Clean up before the adhesive cures. Common lab solvents, citrus terpene or NMP cleaners, degreasers, or soap and water work on wet material. Cured adhesive comes off by careful scraping followed by a cleaning wipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Plexus MA530 50 gallon drum adhesive?

The Plexus MA530 50 gallon drum adhesive is the Part A adhesive half of the Plexus MA530 two-part system, supplied in a 50 gallon drum for meter-mix equipment. Mixed 1:1 with the Part B activator, the system is a methacrylate adhesive. Methacrylate, MMA, and structural acrylic adhesive all describe the same chemistry family. The mixed system bonds thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies, and boat builders use it on deck-to-hull joints, stringers, bulkheads, and liners.

What do I need to run Plexus MA530 from 50 gallon drums?

You need this Part A adhesive container, the matching Part B activator, 50 gallon drum (IT206), and 1:1 meter-mix equipment. The system does not work with one container alone. ITW notes that automation is available from a variety of equipment manufacturers, and we can help you match equipment to your line.

What materials can touch Plexus MA530 in meter-mix equipment?

Bulk equipment must be explosion proof, and every part in contact with the liquid should be stainless steel. Avoid brass, carbon steel, copper, and copper-containing alloys in fittings and pumps. Seals and gaskets should be Teflon, Teflon-coated PVC foam, ethylene/propylene, or polyethylene, and not Viton, Buna-N, Neoprene, or other elastomers.

What color does bulk Plexus MA530 mix?

Bulk Plexus MA530 mixes gray with the standard Part B activator. The 400ml cartridge also comes in a white version, on the white 400ml page.

What is the working time and shelf life of bulk Plexus MA530?

Working time is 30 to 40 minutes at 75°F, and the adhesive reaches 500 psi in 90 to 110 minutes. Shelf life is 6 months when stored continuously at 55°F to 77°F. Exposure above 80°F shortens shelf life, and above 100°F degrades it quickly.

What does Plexus MA530 bond, and does it sag?

MA530 does not sag, because it dispenses as a non-sagging gel that fills gaps from 0.03 to 0.70 in (0.75 to 18.0 mm). ITW lists ABS blends, acrylics, PBT, polycarbonate, rigid PVC, and TPU, plus FRP, gelcoat, DCPD, phenolics, epoxy-based composites, RIM, and coated or primed metals. Polyethylene and polypropylene are not on the list, so call us before specifying MA530 on those.

What other sizes does Plexus MA530 come in, and where is it made?

MA530 comes in 400ml twin cartridges in gray and white, plus 5 gallon pails and 50 gallon drums, each as a separate Part A adhesive and Part B activator. Plexus MA530 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.