The Need

The adhesive market encompasses a wide range of technologies and uses; however, many existing adhesives face significant drawbacks. Common issues include toxicity and flammability, complex application processes requiring precise measuring and mixing, poor performance in low temperatures and humid environments, loss of strength in warm conditions, and slow curing times. These limitations highlight the need for improved adhesive compositions that are safer, easier to use, and more effective across various substrates and environmental conditions.

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The Technology

By utilizing microencapsulating technologies to sequester the adhesive catalyst, OSU faculty have developed two different single-component, stimuli-responsive methacrylate adhesives that can rapidly cure either in response to light pressure between two surfaces being adhered together, or in response to ambient moisture in the air. The technology eliminates the need for mixing or external energy stimuli, making it user-friendly and suitable for consumer markets. Additionally, the adhesive performs well across various substrates and environmental conditions, including low temperatures and high humidity.

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Benefits/Advantages

• Stimuli-Responsive Curing: Cures upon exposure to ambient moisture, mild heat, or physical contact, eliminating the need for mixing or external energy sources.
• Non-Toxic and High Strength: Combines the non-toxic properties of (meth)acrylate adhesives with the high bonding strength of polyurethanes.
• User-Friendly Application: Designed for easy use by the average consumer, without the need for precise measuring or mixing.
• Versatile and Reliable: Performs well across various substrates and environmental conditions, including low temperatures and high humidity.

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Commercial Applications

• Consumer Products and Packaging Industries: Strong bonding, ease of application, and ability to adhere to numerous different materials makes this adhesive applicable to any number of uses.
• Industrial Fields: High strength bond, rapid cure time, and tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions means this simple adhesive is still beneficial to more industrial sectors like the Automotive Industry, Construction and Building, and Electronics Manufacturing.
• Medical: non-toxic properties also make this adhesive viable for medical applications, such as dentistry.