TAGS: Acrylic Adhesives
UV/EB Cure Adhesives
Henkel and Covestro collaborated to develop a solution for efficient fixation of cylindrical li-ion battery cells inside a plastic cell holder for electronic vehicles. The solution is based on an acrylic UV-cure adhesive from Henkel and a UV-transparent polycarbonate blend from Covestro.
Automated Dispensing Techniques with Fast Cure Mechanism
With a strong consumer push to reduce electric vehicle (EV) prices, large-scale and cost-efficient li-ion battery cell assembly is a prerequisite for every automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Henkel’s Loctite AA 3963 battery assembly adhesives and Covestro’s UV transparent polycarbonate blend Bayblend® were developed for compatibility with high-volume automated dispensing techniques and offer flexible and fast cure mechanisms.
The acrylic adhesive was formulated for use with the cell holder, which is constructed of a special flame-retardant plastic. It provides strong adhesion to the substrate material and offers production adaptability through long open times and short cure cycles.
High-volume Manufacturing with Short Cycle Times
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High-volume manufacturing operations with short cycle times and process flexibility are essential,” said Frank Kerstan, head of e-mobility Europe at Henkel.
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The Loctite OEM-approved adhesive designed to secure cylindrical li-ion cells into a carrier is a one-part, cure-on-demand formulation. After high-speed dispensing, the material’s long open time inherently builds adaptability into the process by allowing for any unexpected production interruption. Once all cells are placed into the adhesive and secured in the holder, curing is activated with ultra-violet (UV) light and takes place in less than five seconds,” added Kerstan.
The process is a major advantage over conventional manufacturing where curing times can range from several minutes to hours, thus requiring additional storage capacity for parts.
Innovative Approach for Li-Ion Battery Module Production
The cell holders are manufactured from Covestro’s PC+ABS blend Bayblend® FR3040 EV. The polycarbonate has a thickness of only one millimeter, the plastic already meets category V-0 of the Underwriters Laboratories’ UL94 flammability rating and shows good permeability for UV radiation in the wavelength range above 380 nanometers.
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The material allows us to construct dimensionally stable parts that are necessary for automated mass assembly,” said Steven Daelemans, market development manager e-mobility in the polycarbonates segment at Covestro.
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Together with the fast-curing capability of the Loctite adhesives, this material combination delivers an innovative approach to large-scale cylindrical li-ion battery module production,” added Daelemans.
Source: Covestro