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- Plexus® Methacrylate, Structural Adhesives
Plexus® Methacrylate, Structural Adhesives
Structural adhesives for difficult to bond plastics, that cure rapidly and speed assembly
About Plexus® Methacrylate Adhesives
Plexus® adhesives are ideal for bonding today's difficult-to-bond engineered plastics, producing dramatically stronger bonds than solvent bonding. They allow greater design freedom and, by eliminating mechanical fasteners, enhance aesthetics and reduce weight. They also produce stronger assemblies by distributing stresses over larger bond areas. They cure rapidly at room temperature, speed assembly, and reduce VOC emissions. Regrind-compatible, they are available in standard, low-odor, and low-shrink formulations for bonding:
- ABS
- Acrylic
- FRP
- Gelcoats
- Polyester (including DCPD modified)
- PVC
- Styrenics
- Vinyl esters
Plexus® adhesives are supplied in ready-to-dispense cartridges, 5 gallon pails, and 50 gallons drums. They may be applied using industry standard manual or pneumatic applicators or via a variety of meter mix bulk dispensing systems.
PLEXUS® METHACRYLATE, STRUCTURAL ADHESIVES ARE WIDELY USED FOR:
- Specialty vehicles
- Thermoforming
- Metal bonding
- Signs
- Sheet metal enclosures
- Composite structures
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS:
- Operating temperature window: -40°F to 180°F
- Excellent adhesion
- Gap filling
PACKAGE SIZES
- 35ml Cartridge
- 50ml Cartridge
- 400ml Cartridge
- 490ml Cartridge
- 1qt
- 5gal Pail
- 50gal
Color
- Beige
- Black
- Blue
- Cream
- Gray
- Light Blue
- Off-White
- Red,
- Straw
- White
- Plexus®
Typical Properties Of Plexus® Methacrylate, Structural Adhesives
PRODUCT | DESCRIPTION | VISCOSITY, cP | WORKING/ FIXTURE TIME (min) |
TENSILE STRENGTH (psi) |
SHEAR STRENGTH (psi) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA300 | All purpose High strength Color: Black, Cream Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 5-15 |
A: 40,000-70,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
3-6/ 12-15 |
3,000-4,000 | 3,000-3,800 |
MA310 | High strength Use with "difficult to bond" plastics Color: Cream Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 5-15 |
A: 40,000-70,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
15-18/ 30-45 |
3,500-4,500 | 3,000-3,500 |
MA330 | Pigmented MA310 Use with "difficult to bond" plastics Color: Gray Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 5-15 |
A: 40,000-70,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
15-18/ 30-45 |
3,500-4,500 | 3,000-3,500 |
MA530 | All purpose High strength, high toughness, Medium open time Color: Black Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 130-170 |
A: 130,000-180,000 B: 160,000-215,000 |
30-35/ 90-160 |
3,000-3,500 | 1,600-2,200 |
MA560-1 | All purpose Hight strength, high toughness, Long open time Color: Black Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): >130 |
A: 145,000-185,000 B: 170,000-205,000 |
55-70/ 220-240 |
2,500-3,000 | 1,600-2,200 |
MA590 | All purpose High strength, high toughness, Long open time Color: Black Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 130-160 |
A: 175,000-220,000 B: 175,000-220,000 |
90-105/ 250-380 |
2,000-2,500 | 1,500-2,200 |
MA8105 | Next generation multi-material bonder Low odor, primerless to metal, high toughness Fast curing Color: Gray Mix ratio by vol: 1:1 Tensile elongation (%): 20-40 |
A: 70,000-170,000 B: 50,000-120,000 |
3-6/ 14-16 |
3,000-3,500 | 1,800-2,700 |
PRODUCT | DESCRIPTION | VISCOSITY, cP | WORKING/ FIXTURE TIME (min) |
TENSILE STRENGTH (psi) |
SHEAR STRENGTH (psi) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA320 | Excellent low temperature, Toughness properties Color: Black, Cream, White Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 100-140 |
A: 135,000-175,000 B: 30,000-70,000 |
8-12/ 25-30 |
2,000-2,500 | 1,500-2,000 |
AO/MA420 | All purpose, High toughness Color: Black, Blue, Cream Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 30-50 |
A: 100,000-125,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
4-6/ 15-18 |
2,700-3,000 | 3,000-3,800 |
MA422 | All purpose Medium open time Color: Blue Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 75-100 |
A: 100,000-125,000 B: 35,000-70,000 |
17-24/ 35-40 |
2,700-3,000 | 1,600-2,300 |
MA425 | All purpose Long open time Color: Blue Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile eongation (%): 120-140 |
A: 100,000-125,000 B: 35,000-70,000 |
30-35/ 80-90 |
2,000-2,500 | 1,600-2,300 |
MA550 | Excellent marine adhesive UV stable Color: White Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 35-45 |
A: 130,000-160,000 B: 35,000-60,000 |
40-45/ 70-75 |
2,000-2,500 | 1,200-1,800 |
MA830 | All purpose High strength, high toughness, No primer metal bonding Color: Gray Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 30-60 |
A: 80,000-130,000 B: 50,000-80,000 |
4-6/ 20-25 |
2,000-2,500 | 2,000-2,800 |
MA832 | All purpose High strength, high toughness, No primer metal bonding Color: Gray Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 30-60 |
A: 80,000-130,000 B: 50,000-80,000 |
12-16/ 50-60 |
2,700-3,000 | 2,000-2,800 |
MA920 | Low odor, all purpose High toughness Color: Blue Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 80-100 |
A: 80,000-120,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
4-6/ 15-18 |
1,700-2,200 | 1,500-2,200 |
MA1020 | Low shrinkage Low odor, all purpose Color: Blue Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 90-110 |
A: 100,000-125,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
4-6/ 15-20 |
1,750-2,000 | 1,250-1,600 |
MA1025 | Low shrinkage, low odor Bond lines up to 1" thick Color: Blue Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 90-110 |
A: 180,000-220,000 B: 35,000-65,000 |
20-25/ 40-45 |
2,700-3,000 | 850-1,200 |
MA3940 | Use with craze Sensitive plastics Color: Cream Mix ratio by vol: 10:1 Tensile elongation (%): 125-175 |
A: 135,000-175,000 B: 40,000-70,000 |
12-15/ 25-30 |
2,000-2,500 | 1,400-2,000 |
Not all formulas are shown. Please ask your Curbell Plastics representative for more specific information about an individual formula.
PLEXUS® METHACRYLATE, STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE OPTIONS
2-part Methacrylate Adhesives–Combined at a 1:1 ratio
2-part methacrylate adhesives are ready-to-use, dispensed as a non-sagging gel, and are designed for structural bonding of thermoplastic, metal, and composite assemblies unless otherwise noted.
Plexus® MA300 (cream)– has a working time of 3 to 6 minutes and reaches approximately 500 psi in 12 minutes, and 1000 psi in 15 minutes at 74°F (23°C). This product offers a combination of high strength and stiffness as well as the ability to bond a wide range of materials.
Plexus® MA310 (cream)– is a medium-curing adhesive system offering a combination of high strength and stiffness as well as the ability to bond a wide range of materials.
Plexus® MA330 (gray)– has a working time of 15 to 18 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 30 to 45 minutes at 74°F (23°C). MA330 offers a combination of high strength and stiffness as well as the ability to bond a wide range of materials.
Plexus® MA530 (gray)– has a working time of 30 to 40 minutes and reaches approximately 500 psi in 90 minutes, and 1000 psi in 160 minutes at 74˚F (23˚C). This product has been designed for use on large structures where a moderate open time product is needed. MA530 may be used for composite and metal bonding for small to large structures. In addition, this product has excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA560-1 (black)– has a working time of 55 to 70 minutes at room temperature and at 74°F (23°C). MA560-1 reaches lap shear values of approximately 500 and 1000 psi in 3 and 4 hours, respectively, at a 0.03 in (0.75 mm) bond line. This product has been designed for use on large structures where a very long open time product is needed. MA560-1 is commonly used for bonding stringers and liners into large fiberglass boats with bond lines up to 1.00 in (25 mm) thick. This product offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA590 (gray)– has a working time of 90 to 105 minutes and achieves approximately 500 and 1000 psi in 5 and 6.5 hours, respectively at 74°F (23°C). This product has been designed for use on large marine structures where a very long open time product is needed. MA590 is commonly used for bonding stringers and liners into large fiberglass boats with bond lines up to one inch thick. This product offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA8105 (gray)– has a working time of 3 to 6 minutes and achieves approximately 500 psi in 14 to 16 minutes and 1000 psi in 18 to 22 minutes, respectively at 75°F (23.9°C). MA8105 is designed for the structural bonding of various metals, coatings, most plastics including nylon, composites, and rubbers, with little or no surface preparation. It has a unique combination of low odor, high strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance. Plexus® MA8105 is sandable, paintable, and cures tack-free.
2-part Methacrylate Adhesives–Combined at a 10:1 ratio
Plexus® MA320 (off-white, cream, black)– is an excellent choice for composite bonding applications in the transportation, marine, wind energy, and engineering construction industries because of its high strength and durability. Additionally, it generally requires minimal surface preparation. MA320 also provides superior toughness, even at low temperatures.
Plexus® AO420 (cream, blue)– is a rapid-curing system. AO420 is the standard choice for composite bonding applications in the transportation industry because it requires virtually no surface preparation. This product provides excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA420FS (blue)– has a working time of 1 to 2 minutes and achieved 75% of ultimate strength in 3 to 4 minutes. Designed for the structural assembly of plastic components where very fast curing is the objective, this product is primarily designed for bonding parts using robotic adhesive application equipment.
Plexus® MA422 (blue)– has a working time of 17 to 24 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 35 to 40 minutes at 74°F (23°C). MA422 is finding wide usage for composite bonding applications in the transportation and marine industries because it requires virtually no surface preparation. It also offers a unique combination of excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA425 (blue)– has a working time of 30 to 35 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 80 to 90 minutes at 74°F (23°C). MA425 is finding wide usage for composite bonding applications in the transportation and marine industries because it requires virtually no surface preparation and offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA550 (white)– has a working time of 40 to 45 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 70 to 75 minutes at 74˚F (23˚C). MA550 is the standard for secondary bonding applications in the marine industry because it requires virtually no surface preparation and is UV stable. It offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA685 (light blue)– is designed for solid surface seaming and assembly. It is highly translucent and clear, UV stable, and non-yellowing. MA685 offers excellent adhesion to a variety of solid surface sheet materials including cast acrylic and cast/densified polyester. It exhibits high resistance to water, impact, wear, scuffing, boiling water, high temperature, and UV light. It has a working time of 8 to 11 minutes and achieves handling strength in 20 to 25 minutes.
Plexus® MA830 (gray)– is designed for structural bonding of metals without primers. In addition, MA830 does a superb job of bonding thermoplastic and composite assemblies with little or no surface preparation. MA830 has a working time of 4 to 6 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 15 to 25 minutes at 74°F (23°C). This product provides a unique combination of high strength, excellent fatigue endurance, outstanding impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA832 (gray)– is an advanced adhesive designed for structural bonding of metals without primers and does a superb job of bonding thermoplastic and composite assemblies with little to no surface preparation. MA832 has a working time approximately 14 minutes and achieves approximately 500 psi (3.5 MPa) in 55 minutes. This product provides high strength, excellent fatigue endurance, outstanding impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA920 (blue)– is a breakthrough in methacrylate adhesive technology because it combines high strength, excellent fatigue endurance, and outstanding impact resistance into a low odor product. It has a working time of 4 to 6 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 15 to 18 minutes at 74°F (23°C). MA920 requires virtually no surface preparation on most substrates.
Plexus® MA1020 (blue)– is an adhesive with very low cure shrinkage and very low odor. MA1020 has a working time of 4 to 6 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 15 to 20 minutes at 74°F (23°C). This product is the standard for structural bonding because it requires virtually no surface preparation and offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA1025 (blue)– has very low cure shrinkage and very low odor with a working time of 20 to 25 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 40 to 45 minutes at 74°F (23°C). This product is the standard for structural bonding in the marine industry because it requires virtually no surface preparation. MA1025 is designed to be used for bonding stringers and liners into fiberglass boats with bond lines up to one inch thick and offers excellent fatigue endurance, impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Plexus® MA3940 (cream)– has a working time of 12 to 15 minutes and achieves approximately 75% of ultimate strength in 25 to 30 minutes at 74°F (23°C). MA3940 is the standard for applications requiring an adhesive to bond substrates sensitive to chemical crazing such as acrylic or polycarbonate. In addition, this product provides a unique combination of excellent fatigue endurance, outstanding impact resistance, and superior toughness.
Primer
Plexus® Primer/Conditioner PC-120– is a chemical cleaner and conditioner designed to improve the long-term bond durability of Plexus® adhesives when used for adhering aluminum and stainless steel assemblies. Fast drying at ambient temperatures, parts can be bonded 1 to 3 minutes after the conditioner is applied. Typically, water and salt can attack bonded metal structures at the adhesive interface, potentially reducing the overall strength. The active ingredients in this cleaner allow the adhesive to produce a bond which can resist long term exposure to salt water. PC-120 acts as a cleaner to remove contaminants on the metal surface. In many circumstances, the use of PC-120 can replace routine solvent cleaning. Application can be performed by brushing or wiping. Allow the PC-120 to dry slightly before wiping away. Only a thin film of PC-120 is needed. The primer contains a red dye. As long as a red tint is slightly visible on the metal surfaces, sufficient conditioner has been applied. Once the conditioner is dry, the parts are ready to bond. Coverage is about 250 square feet per 500 mL.
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We carry an extensive inventory of plastic sheets, rods, tubes, film, tapes, adhesives and more from highly qualified manufacturers.

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We provide value for our customers with inventory programs, troubleshooting, traceability, process efficiencies, and more.

Fabrication & Machined Parts
Curbell supplies fabricated and machined plastic parts manufactured via CNC routing, milling, vacuum forming, die cutting, and more.