How to Properly Prepare the Substrate for the Hybrid Mounting Adhesive
Tytan Professional hybrid adhesives are advanced products that combine the properties of assembly adhesives and sealants, ideal for a wide range of construction and renovation applications. The key to achieving maximum bond strength is proper substrate preparation. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to prepare a surface for bonding and why it’s important.
Tytan Professional hybrid adhesives are advanced products that combine the properties of assembly adhesives and sealants, ideal for a wide range of construction and renovation applications. The key to achieving maximum bond strength is proper substrate preparation. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to prepare a surface for bonding and why it’s important.
The Tytan Professional line of hybrid adhesives, such as FIX² GT, FIX² High Tack and the FIX² Elastic and FIX² Clear adhesive sealants, are gaining popularity among contractors for their versatility, bond strength and resistance to harsh outdoor conditions. However, to realize their full potential, proper substrate preparation prior to application is key.
Step-by-Step Substrate Preparation
Here are the steps to take to ensure that the bond is indeed strong and reliable. Make sure the substrate is solid and stable. Regardless of the type of job you are doing, it is a good practice to check the surface and substrate you are working with. If the substrate is weak, the bonded element may fall off, not because of the poor performance of the adhesive, but because of the weak substrate.
The next step is to clean the surface. The substrate and the material to be bonded should be free of dust, dirt, grease, and other contaminants. Contaminants can interfere with the proper adhesion of the adhesive.
Degreasing is an important step in preparing the substrate for hybrid adhesives. Grease and oil can significantly reduce adhesive strength. The best degreasers to use are acetone or ethanol, which will effectively remove grease and provide a clean surface. For plastics, it is recommended to use milder detergents to avoid damaging the material. Interestingly, hybrids cure when exposed to moisture, so application to a slightly damp, but not wet, substrate is acceptable. This is because if the adhesive uses moisture from the substrate to cure, the remaining excess water from the substrate can weaken the bond.
Priming – Optional or Needed?
Even the strongest mounting adhesive, such as FIX² Turbo GT, requires a stable and well-prepared substrate. As mentioned above, it is good practice and the contractor’s responsibility to assess the condition of the substrate and then properly prepare it. If the substrate is load bearing and well cleaned of dust, dirt and grease, there is usually no need to prime.
On the other hand, if the substrate is deteriorated and unstable, the contractor should take care to strengthen it before applying the hybrid adhesive. For example, the substrate may be very old, absorbent and “dusty” so that brushing may not be sufficient. In this case, it may be worthwhile to use a primer/strengthening emulsion to make the surface more uniform and resilient. Each situation should be evaluated individually to determine if the surface should be primed or not.
Why Is Proper Substrate Preparation Important?
The best hybrid mounting adhesive will not do the job if the substrate is not properly prepared. Lack of preparation can result in problems such as
– Poor adhesion: Dirt, unevenness, and oily surfaces can significantly reduce adhesive strength.
– Uneven adhesive distribution: An uneven substrate means the adhesive will not spread evenly, weakening the bond.
– Shorter bond duration: Inaccurate substrate preparation can lead to premature bond failure, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair. Substrate preparation is one of the most important steps when using Tytan Professional hybrid adhesives. By thoroughly cleaning, degreasing and possibly priming the surface, you can be sure that the bond will be durable and long lasting. Take care of every detail of the preparation to take full advantage of the hybrid adhesives and enjoy their reliability in various applications for years to come.