Radiant-Cured Adhesives
  Technology Review

View a summary of the radiant-cured adhesive technology review findings.

INTRODUCTION

As part of an overall project to provide industry representatives, researchers, technical assistance providers, research funders, and others with better access to information on pollution prevention research, the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) undertook literature reviews on alternative solvent-free adhesive technologies that have the potential to replace conventional ozone-depleting and solvent-based adhesive systems. A set of three technology reviews covering hot melt adhesives, radiant-cure adhesives, and waterbased adhesives was prepared from the literature research.

This set is the first of a series of technology reviews being undertaken as an element of the Northwest Pollution Prevention Network that PPRC is coordinating. The technology reviews will synthesize current research on P2 technologies, explore cost and technical issues, identify areas where further research is needed, and provide extensive bibliographies and glossaries. Each of the technology reviews also will be available on PPRC’s web site at http://www.pprc.org/pprc, where there will be links to relevant projects in PPRC’s research projects database and to relevant web sites.

Two segments of the adhesives industry are relevant to pollution prevention: adhesive formulation and adhesive application. This technology review focuses on the application of radiant (ultraviolet light or electron-beam [UV or EB]) cured adhesives as an alternative to conventional solvent-based adhesives.

More background information on adhesives can be found in a number of sources. Adhesives Bibliography

Industry background
A summary of the adhesives industry, including definition, applications, market trends, environmental/safety issues, drying and curing and alternatives.

Radiant-Cured Adhesives Defined
A description of radiant-cured adhesives, including uses and properties.

Technical Issues and Radiant-Cured Adhesives
A comparison of the performance of radiant-cured adhesives and solvent-based adhesives, key factors in successful application of radiant-cured adhesives, and advantages and limitations of radiant-cured adhesives as compared against solvent-based adhesives..

Adhesives Economics
A summary of research that evaluates the costs associated with a conversion to a solvent-free adhesive.

Gaps in Radiant-Cured Adhesives Research
An analysis of areas that merit further study.

Summary of Radiant-Cured Adhesives Technology Review

Key Factors in Successful Application of Solvent-Free Technology

Advantages and Barriers for Solvent-free Adhesives

Adhesives-related Projects in the Pollution Prevention Research Projects Database

Other Adhesives-related Internet Sites

Adhesives Bibliography

Glossary of Terms