Introducing high temperature aerospace epoxy, Permabond ET5424

Permabond was recently approached by an aerospace customer looking to find the ultimate in high performance epoxies. The product sought had to cure at room temperature but have far superior thermal resistance compared to standard two-part epoxies, maintaining a high strength at very high temperatures. In addition, they needed low outgassing properties compliant with thermal outgassing requirements for space-going materials. Welcome Permabond ET5424 – a new two-part aerospace epoxy adhesive that can do all of the above.

Aerospace adhesives generally serve to ensure a strong, resilient bond while also facilitating lightweighting in an aircraft. They do this by offering protection against corrosion and distributing stress evenly across component parts, as well as maintaining the structural integrity of the substrate material. Mechanical fastening methods not only add significant weight, but can concentrate stress into already weakened areas (e.g. if a substrate has been drilled to accommodate the fastener).

High strength at high temperatures

Aerospace epoxy adhesives tend to be able to withstand stressors well, such as high and low temperatures, impact and weather. Permabond ET5424 can withstand up to 230°C and as low as -40°C, making it ideally suited for both the hot and cold environments that aircrafts need to be able to endure. Its high temperature resistance also makes it ideal for powder coating applications. This process, as well as paint stoving, requires heating in an oven to harden into a protective layer for the substrate. Withstanding up to 230°C as ET5424 does, this process is no problem for this product.

Permabond ET5424 cures fully at room temperature, with an accelerated heat cure also possible. In addition to curing at room temperature, ET5424 holds parts together very well and forms a completely watertight seal. This makes it an ideal replacement for welding and offers the additional benefit of leaving no unsightly tarnishing associated with welding. It can also be used in ATEX areas.

An additional feature of this adhesive is its long open time at room temperature. This means that it is great for use on large bond areas and in batch production processes, as it allows for the perfect alignment of parts before bonding takes place.

Permabond ET5424 Aerospace Epoxy Key Features & Benefits:

• Very high temperature resistance (230°C), good strength retention at high temperature
• Meets ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C requirements for thermal outgassing
• High shear strength
• Cures at room temperature – no heat cure needed (although heat will speed up cure)
• Long open time for accurate part alignment
• Good replacement for welding
• Reduced-hazards SDS
• Can be supplied in cartridges for use with a dispensing gun, or bulk for use with automatic dispensers
• Cured adhesive can be painted / go through paint bake process

Permabond ET5424 is particularly well suited to:

• Honeycomb bonding and repair
• All metal bonding applications
• Substrates requiring powder coating or paint stoving
• Applications requiring a long open time

If you’d like to find out more about this new aerospace epoxy, please get in touch with us.