Light-Activated Adhesives Cure On Demand

Looking for adhesives that let you control the curing process? That's only one benefit of a new family of light-activated adhesives offered by Dymax Corp., Torrington, Conn. Triggered by either UV or visible blue light, the curing process needs only seconds. The adhesives, described as opto-mechanical formulations, can solve assembly problems in tasks such as lens mounting, laser diode packaging, fiber pigtailing, transceiver potting, and optical device assembly. The maker suggests high intensity spot lamps for the fastest cures with small drops of adhesive. Stationary flood lamps mounted over conveyors are recommended for large area applications. Shelf life at room temperature is one year, Dymax says.