Permabond 102

When assembling close-fitting plastic, rubber, or metal components, waiting for adhesives to set slows production. Permabond 102 delivers rapid, precise bonds, ensuring components fixture in seconds without the need for mixing or heat. This low-viscosity cyanoacrylate flows into the tightest joints, achieving strong, reliable adhesion to keep assembly lines moving efficiently.

Why this product exists

Permabond 102 is engineered for the demands of high-speed assembly, where fast, reliable bonding of close-fitting components is critical. This ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive reacts with surface moisture to cure almost instantly when pressed into a thin film, eliminating bottlenecks associated with traditional adhesives. It is formulated to create strong, permanent bonds across a wide range of materials, including most plastics, rubbers, and metals, without the need for complex mixing or heat processes. Unlike higher viscosity cyanoacrylates, Permabond 102's low viscosity (70-90 mPa.s) ensures it effectively penetrates and bonds components with gaps up to 0.15 mm, providing precise adhesion where others might struggle to wick.

The numbers that matter

The core of Permabond 102's performance lies in its ability to bond tightly matched parts. With a maximum gap fill of 0.15 mm, it is specifically designed for close-tolerance assembly, unlike higher viscosity alternatives that might bridge these small gaps. Its rapid fixture time, typically between 5 to 15 seconds across various substrates like Buna N Rubber, PVC, and Steel, means components can be handled almost immediately, drastically improving production throughput. Once cured, it delivers high shear strength, for example, 19-23 N/mm² on steel, and often results in substrate failure on plastics like ABS and PVC, indicating a stronger bond than the material itself. The colourless appearance also ensures a clean, unobtrusive finish.

What it's like to use

Using Permabond 102 streamlines assembly. The single-component formula requires no mixing or heat. Simply apply a sparing amount to one clean, dry, grease-free surface. Bring components together quickly and apply pressure to ensure the adhesive spreads into a thin film. Handling strength is achieved within seconds, but do not disturb until fully set. For cleanup, any surplus adhesive can be removed with Permabond CA solvent, nitromethane, or acetone. Surfaces should be degreased with a suitable solvent like acetone or isopropanol prior to application. For materials like polypropylene, polyethylene, PTFE, or silicone, pre-treating with Permabond Polyolefin Primer (POP) is necessary to achieve optimal adhesion.

Where this product excels

• Manufacturing Production Lines: Its rapid fixture time and ability to bond diverse materials like ABS, PVC, Buna N rubber, steel, and aluminium make it ideal for automated or manual assembly where quick turnaround is essential for efficiency.
• Electronics and Appliance Assembly: For bonding small, intricate components in consumer electronics, white goods, or medical devices, the precise application and fast cure minimise fixturing time and improve throughput.
• Automotive Component Bonding: From interior trim to small engine parts or sensor housings, it provides durable, fast bonds on common automotive materials, supporting rapid assembly and repair processes.

How it fits in a real system

In systems where certain substrates are difficult to bond or require even faster cure times, Permabond 102 integrates seamlessly. For extremely porous surfaces, or when cure speed needs to be accelerated on larger gaps or acidic surfaces, applying a Permabond C Surface Activator (CSA) or Permabond QFS 16 prior to adhesive application ensures consistent, rapid bonding. For challenging polyolefin plastics like polypropylene, polyethylene, PTFE, or silicone, using Permabond Polyolefin Primer (POP) as a first step is crucial to establish a reliable bond.

Choose this when

• Precision and Speed are Critical: When high-speed assembly requires components to fixture in seconds, especially on production lines.
• Bonding Close-Fitting Parts: For substrates with a maximum gap of 0.15 mm, where its low viscosity ensures thorough penetration and strong adhesion.
• Diverse Material Compatibility: Bonding combinations of plastics, rubbers, and metals (e.g., steel, aluminium, ABS, PVC, Buna N rubber) is required without extensive surface preparation.
• Avoiding Mixing or Heat Curing: When a single-component, room-temperature curing adhesive is necessary to simplify processes.

Don't use this when

• Not for: Gaps exceeding 0.15 mm. For larger gaps, the adhesive may not fill effectively or cure reliably. Consider a higher-viscosity cyanoacrylate like Permabond 240 Adhesive for these applications.
• Not for: Highly porous or acidic surfaces without preparation. Without a Permabond activator, cure speed may be significantly reduced or bonding may be unreliable.
• Not for: Bonding polyolefins or silicones directly. Materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, PTFE, or silicone require pre-treatment with Permabond Polyolefin Primer (POP) for effective adhesion.
• Not for: Contact with strong oxidising materials or polar solvents. Prolonged exposure can compromise bond integrity.