To help manufacturers using polyurethane adhesives adapt, Intertronics has launched Point-One Structural Polyurethane Adhesives, polyurethanes (PUs) based on micro emission technology.
Their concentration of monomeric diisocyanates is <0.1% by weight, so REACH training is not required if manufacturers specify these products.
From 24th August 2023, the European Parliament’s REACH Restrictions will mean that industrial and professional users of products with a total monomeric diisocyanate concentration of >0.1% must be trained and certified in handling diisocyanates.
Point-One has very low emissions and few warning icons on the label. Point-One Structural Polyurethane Adhesives are fast-curing two-part adhesives that form strong, durable bonds in 10 minutes. They are resistant to moisture, fuel, many solvents, and chemicals — offering better chemical resistance than conventional PUs. Able to be sanded in as little as 10 minutes, subsequent painting or assembly processes can be completed within a short time frame. With low diisocyanate content, Point-One materials are solvent and VOC free, and have no requirement for a carcinogen warning on the product label as they are not H351 classified.
The range includes IRS 3223-B Point-One Structural Polyurethane Adhesive, which is black in colour and has a working time of 3.5 minutes, and IRS 3221-W Point-One Structural Polyurethane Adhesive, which is white in colour, has a working life of 1.5 minutes, and features excellent UV stability for outdoor use. Both materials offer adhesion to plastics, metals, GRP, ceramics, SMC, wood, plasterboard, concrete, rock, and marble. They are suitable for applications including the interior and exterior automotive aftermarket, caravan and trailer manufacture and repair, and outdoor lighting and signage.
Ben Swanson, chief commercial officer, Intertronics, said: “Polyurethane adhesives are made by reacting diisocyanates and polyols. While the diisocyanate is used up during the reaction, and virtually no diisocyanates are found in completed or cured materials, in liquid form they do present health and safety risks. Our new Point-One adhesives present a much lower risk to operators – low enough to not require the new mandated training. We still advocate the relevant risk management and health and safety measures, of course.
“The cost, administrative, and time burden manufacturers face as a result of the new requirement for mandated REACH training could be significant. Specifying Point-One removes the need for training and certification.”
Point-One adhesives are supplied in pre-measured, side-by-side double syringe cartridges (either 50g or 200g) alongside static mixing nozzles for straightforward application. The products have good sag resistant properties, allowing vertical application, excellent gap filling properties and are easy to extrude through the static mixing nozzle.
