EPX APPLICATOR-200ML - 3M - Product.Network

Instructions for Dispensing and Troubleshooting

3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives

General Instructions for Use of 3M™ EPX™ Applicators

Almost invariably, the cause of incomplete curing of a structural adhesive is highly off-ratio dispensing. The

following steps should be practiced to minimize occurrence of this off-ratio dispensing.

To ensure proper mix ratio with 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Duo-Pak adhesives and 3M™ EPX™ applicators, the

following steps are recommended:

1) Store cartridges cap end up and feat end down —do not leave them lying on their sides. This will allow

any air bubbles to work up to the tip of the cartridge.

2) Remove and discard cap from cartridge.

3) Place cartridge in applicator and begin dispensing; visually ensure that adhesive is flowing from both

sides of the cartridge. This will remove any air bubbles that may be present in the cartridge, and also

equalize the pistons if they were not precisely level.

4) Once material is flowing from both sides of the cartridge, attach mix nozzle.

5) Dispense and discard approximately one mL of adhesive.

6) Begin applying adhesive to part to be bonded.

When done using adhesive, do not remove nozzle. Store material with the nozzle attached. When ready to use

more adhesive, remove and discard nozzle with gelled adhesive and begin following steps above with step 3.

If the exit orifice of the mix nozzle is larger than desired for dispensing, Luer lock adapters and a large variety

of dispensing needle tips can be purchased from sources such as Ashby Cross or Nordson EFD.

NOTE: Use of a dispensing tip can provide significant additional backpressure and, in some cases, lead to off-

ratio dispensing. Validate all tips by comparing to material dispensed without a tip.

Additional Notes

Mix nozzles are designed to work with adhesive at room temperature. Adhesive that is very cold (below

60°F/15°C) may be hard to dispense. Adhesive that is very warm (above 90°F/32°C) may flow very easily.

Care should be taken to visually ensure that material exiting the mix nozzle is uniform in color (no streaks).

To dispense material more rapidly, mix nozzles may have the tips cut back, or adhesive may be gently warmed

(to as high as 120°F/50°C) using an oven, warming pad or lamp. DO NOT place adhesive cartridges in a

microwave oven.

If the adhesive is difficult to dispense, remove and replace mix nozzle. DO NOT try to force gelled material

through the mix nozzle, or the cartridge and/or applicator may become damaged.

Technical Bulletin February 2014

Instructions for Dispensing and Troubleshooting

3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives

Page 2 of 2

Mix nozzles are intended for one-time use. DO NOT attempt to flush a mix nozzle with solvent and reuse it

later.

Do not attempt to express material with a pneumatic applicator at pressures higher than recommended (50 PSI

for the 50 mL dispenser; 58 PSI for 200 mL dispenser, 70 PSI for 400 mL dispenser) or cartridge damage may

occur.

Storing the used cartridges tip up will encourage any entrapped air bubbles to float to the tip of the cartridge,

where they can be expelled prior to attaching a nozzle.

Acrylic adhesives are prone to cure at the tip and the cured material may bond quite strongly to the cartridge.

Storing these adhesives tip down may reduce mixing accelerator and base at the tip and reduce the incidence of

cartridge clogging at the tip unless using the new split dispensing tip style (45 mL and 490 mL) acrylic

cartridges.

Technical

Information

The technical information, recommendations and other statements contained in this document are

based upon tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such

information is not guaranteed.

Product

Use Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use

and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. Given the variety of factors that can affect

the use and performance of a 3M product, user is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and

determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application.

Warranty,

Limited

Remedy, and

Disclaimer

Unless an additional warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product packaging or product

literature, 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time

3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR

IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY

OR CONDITION ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF TRADE.

If the 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the sole and exclusive remedy is, at 3M’s

option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.

Limitation of

Liability Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the 3M product,

whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted,

including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

ISO

9001:

2008

This Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division product was manufactured under a 3M quality system registered to ISO 9001: 2008 standards.

Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division

3M Center, Building 225-3S-06

St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 3M, Scotch-Weld and EPX are trademarks of 3M Company.