Description
Sika A236 adhesive is a two-part polyurethane structural adhesive built for bonding composite hulls, decks, stringers, and large bonded assemblies in marine and transportation construction. The product carries Lloyds Nautical Certification and won the 2021 IBEX Innovation Award in the Boatbuilding Methods and Materials category.
Sika A236 Adhesive Benefits
- Zero odor, zero VOC, and solvent-free chemistry, suited to interior fit-out and enclosed shop environments.
- Low exotherm cure helps protect gel-coated panels and thin laminates from heat-driven distortion during cure.
- Per Sika, approximately three times the elongation at break of traditional structural systems, allowing the joint to absorb vibration, impact, and differential thermal movement.
- Non-sag paste delivers up to 30 mm gap fill on vertical and overhead joints, and up to 60 mm horizontal.
- Two open times (25 minute and 120 minute), so production teams can match the adhesive to the size and complexity of the assembly.
Sika A236 adhesive is built for the long bond lines and dynamic joints found in composite construction. It bonds RTM, SMC, GRP, laminate, plywood, and coated metal substrates when each surface is properly prepared.
Sika A236 Adhesive Applications
- Deck-to-hull bonding in marine construction and refit work.
- Stringer and grid bonding in composite boatbuilding.
- Bulkhead-to-hull joints where flex and durability are required.
- Truck, bus, and RV body panels and interior structural panels.
- Large composite parts (RTM, SMC, GRP, laminate) bonded to themselves, to plywood, or to metallic structures.
The 25-minute version fits faster production cycles and smaller assemblies. The 120-minute version gives teams more open time for long bond lines, complex layups, and parts that need careful positioning before strength builds.
Surface Preparation Guidance
All bond surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of dirt, oil, release agents, and other contamination. GFR polyester and vinyl ester surfaces typically require priming or light abrasion before bonding. Infused polyester and vinyl ester surfaces only require peel ply removal just before bonding. For other substrates, a Sika substrate-specific primer may be required. Call us if you are unsure which prep is right for your build.
Technical Details and Documentation
Sika A236 adhesive is supplied as a 1:1 mix ratio two-part polyurethane with a 9-month shelf life when stored unopened between 65 and 77°F. Sika has rebranded Adekit A236 as SikaForce-436. Same formulation, same performance, same part numbers in our system. Review the current Sika technical resources and Technical Data Sheet for tested tensile, lap shear, and elongation values before approving the adhesive for production use.
Dispensing and Ordering Help
Sika A236 adhesive ships in 400 ml dual cartridges and requires a pneumatic dispensing gun and the correct static mixer to maintain 1:1 ratio control. Bulk packaging from 1 liter to 200 liters is available for production volume on request. If your team is moving from another structural adhesive, confirm bead size, open time, fixture method, storage conditions, and cure schedule before the first production run.
Compare this product with related urethane adhesives when you need a different cure speed, package size, or color option for a marine or transportation bonding project.
Contact Chemical Concepts for help choosing the right open-time version, dispensing equipment, or substrate prep approach for your application.
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