Henkel develops innovative one-component UV-only cured in place gasket for automotive electronics applications

As the sophistication and complexity of electronics constantly increases in modern vehicles, protecting electronic components from the rigors of automotive applications becomes even more critical. This is especially important as electronic systems account for greater degree of safety critical systems, with research by Deloitte finding that the automotive electronics has increased from around 20% of a vehicle's cost in 2007 to about 40%¹. Loctite AA 5885 was developed by Henkel in collaboration with its automotive customers to offer a more reliable and cost-effective gasketing option to traditional heat-cured silicon.

"With the proliferation of mission-critical electrical systems, automotive customers are seeking ways to minimize the costs of manufacturing while also delivering greater lifetime performance and reliability," explained Jeff Koehler, Business Development and Matthew Quast, Product Development, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. "For example, one of our customers was experiencing unacceptable levels of seal failures, deflection and deformation in the past. We worked with him to develop a tailored solution that provided a softer seal capable of meeting his seal force goals. This challenge was met by Henkel chemists with Loctite AA 5885, which also fulfils all necessary automotive reliability requirements."

Loctite AA 5885 is a one-part polyacrylate gasket that can be cured within 30 seconds and compressed in assembly immediately after application to help minimize manufacturer cycle times. The uncured liquid has unique flow properties that permit efficient and repeatable pumpability onto parts with complex shapes and geometries. Once dispensed, its rapid viscoelastic recovery permits high aspect ratio beads to be preserved through curing. Thanks to its UV-active chemistry, curing can be accomplished within seconds in a continuous mode without the high energy consumption of ovens required by other solutions on the market for similar applications. Furthermore, parts can be assembled immediately after cooling. Critically, compressive forces are maintained over a broad deflection range, maintaining seal performance at extreme temperatures ‏(-40 to 150°C), while the material is soft enough to increase tooling tolerances without overstressing the part in any environment.

Automakers strive to keep up with the demand for new and more efficient transport systems across the world. Delivering new technologies at a competitive cost is a determining challenge faced by every manufacturer. The advent of Loctite AA 5885 helps alleviate these challenges by allowing manufactures to minimize floor space, reduce cycle times, and not compromise on product quality.

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_{¹ Semiconductors - the Next Wave Opportunities and winning strategies for semiconductor companies April 2019,
https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/cn/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/deloitte-cn-tmt-semiconductors-the-next-wave-en-190422.pdf}