TABLE OF CONTENTS Solvay Advanced Polymers: Torlon
Torlon poly(amide-imide) parts can be joined with commercial adhesives, extending design options. A variety of adhesives including amide-imide, epoxy and cyanoacrylate can be used to bond Torlon parts. Cyanoacrylates have poor environmental resistance and are not recommended. Silicone, acrylic, and urethane adhesives are generally not recommended unless environment conditions preclude other options. The amide-imide adhesive is made by dissolving 35 parts of Torlon 4000T PAI powder in 65 parts of N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). It should be noted that NMP is a flammable organic solvent and the appropriate handling procedures recommended by EPA, NIOSH and OSHA should be followed.
Torlon 4203L, 5030, and 7130 are relatively easy to bond. Bearing grades 4301, 4275, and 4435 have inherent lubricity, and are more difficult to bond. Table 26.1 compares the shear strengths of these grades bonded with epoxy, cyanoacrylate and amide-imide adhesives.
| PAI grade | Epoxy [a] | Cyanoacrylate [b] | Amide-imide | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| psi | MPa | psi | MPa | psi | MPa | |
| Torlon 4203L | 6000+ | 41.4 | 2780 | 19.2 | 5000+ | 34.5 |
| Torlon 4301 | 2250 | 15.5 | 1740 | 12.0 | 2890 | 19.9 |
| Torlon 4275 | 3500 | 24.1 | 1680 | 11.6 | 3400 | 23.4 |
| Torlon 5030 | 4780 | 33.0 | 3070 | 21.2 | 5140 | 35.4 |
| Torlon 7130 | 6400 + | 44.1 | 3980 | 27.4 | 4750 | 32.8 |
| [a]Hysol EA 9330 from Dexter Corporation. [b]CA 5000 from Lord Corporation. |
Bonding surfaces should be free of contaminants, such as oil, hydraulic fluid, and dust. Torlon parts should be dried for at least 24 hours at 300 F...
