LOCTITE AA 326 Structural Adhesive: Fast Curing and Versatile Applications​

LOCTITE AA 326 is a general-purpose structural adhesive designed for applications requiring fast curing and high shear strength. Developed by Henkel, this product is suitable for various industrial sectors, significantly improving production efficiency. According to the technical data sheet, LOCTITE AA 326 excels in bonding ferrites to plated materials, with typical applications including electric motors, loudspeaker hardware, and jewelry manufacturing where rapid fixturing is essential. Its curing process relies on a specialized activator (e.g., Activator 7649) and proceeds quickly at ambient temperature, without depending on UV light, making it advantageous for bonding non-transparent materials.

In terms of product characteristics, the uncured LOCTITE AA 326 has a specific gravity of 1.05 (23°C) and a viscosity of 18,000 mPa·s (25°C), ensuring easy application and good flow. After curing, the material exhibits high tensile strength (34 N/mm²) and elongation (135%), making it suitable for mechanically stressed environments. Curing performance depends on substrate, bond gap, and temperature: for instance, on grit-blasted steel lap shears, shear strength develops over time and varies with gap size, with smaller gaps promoting faster curing.

The curing speed is closely related to the bond gap, as shown in the graph, where shear strength increases over time under controlled gaps. This highlights the need to optimize gap size for efficient curing.

Ambient temperature also affects the curing rate; at elevated temperatures (e.g., 120°C), curing accelerates, but processes must be adjusted based on actual conditions.

LOCTITE AA 326 finds broad applications in electronics, automotive, and consumer goods sectors. Specific applications include:

• Bonding motor components and speaker parts in electronics, ensuring reliability and durability.
• Potential for applications like headlight assembly or electronic component bonding in the automotive industry.
• Leveraging fast fixturing for efficient gemstone setting in the jewelry industry.

Additionally, while the product may have potential in medical devices or optics, the technical data sheet cautions against use on plastics or in oxidative environments, recommending compatibility tests by users.

The typical performance of cured material includes excellent electrical properties, such as volume resistivity of 2x10¹³ Ω·cm, suitable for electronic insulation. Environmental resistance tests indicate stable performance under heat aging, making it ideal for high-temperature applications.

Henkel advises the following for maximizing product performance:

• Clean surfaces thoroughly before application.
• Apply activator (e.g., Activator 7649).
• Recommended bond gap of 0.1 mm; larger gaps require activator on both sides.
• Store between 8°C and 21°C to avoid contamination.

Users can visit Henkel's website for local support.

In summary, LOCTITE AA 326 stands out as an ideal choice for industrial bonding due to its fast curing, high strength, and versatility across sectors. By integrating technical data with practical applications, it helps enterprises enhance production quality and efficiency.