Maxlok is a new acrylic adhesive developed specifically to bond a wide variety of substrates. Maxlok was developed based on customer feedback and extensive research to meet the market need for a process-friendly adhesive that will work on various substrates including unprepared metals with minimal substrate preparation. This robust, tack-free adhesive allows for substrates to be mated more than once. Designed with maximum flexibility in mind, Maxlok is available in three cure speeds, each of which incorporates glass bead technology, ensuring optimum bond line thickness. The different cure speeds allow for more flexible processing with seasonal temperatures and better dispensing capability. Gray in color, the adhesive easily matches or blends with most metals and it performs at temperatures ranging from -40 to +300-Fahrenheit.Intended for use in demanding applications such as transportation, wind and solar energy, shipping, specialty construction and the recreational/specialty vehicle industries, Maxlok has been validated through multiple bond and peel strength tests, outperforming competing products as well as traditional mechanical fastening methods. Superior performance has been achieved on multiple substrates, in particular galvanized steel. A flexible and process-friendly solution, Maxlok offers high adhesion strength without the need for a primer, which saves time and money. As compared to competing products, Maxlok offers better environmental performance, salt spray and humidity performance. Further, the acrylic adhesive defies dilute acids, alkalis, solvents, greases, oils, moisture, salt spray and weathering, while providing excellent resistance to UV exposure.“Maxlok is a premiere metal bonding system with superior performance across various substrates, which provides improved efficiencies and flexibility within customers’ manufacturing processes,” said Carlos Cruz, LORD Market Manager, Product Assembly Adhesives and Coatings, Americas Region.  “This adhesive provides a low-cost alternative with superior performance in applications involving welding, riveting or other traditional mechanical fastening methods, especially in extreme temperature environments subject to high impact or high peel loads. We have already seen great success using this adhesive in armored vehicles, motor coaches and trailers.”

According to Cruz, structural adhesive bonding is an established joining method that is proven in a variety of end-use markets – including more than 50 million cars, trucks, specialty vehicles and boats worldwide. The benefits of structural bonding have been widely touted for decades and are best summarized building a better product, faster, more simply and with less cost. When compared to mechanical fasteners and welding, structural adhesives widely distribute stresses, act as a sealant, reduce noise and vibration, offer excellent durability, help prevent corrosion and maintain the original mill finish quality of the exterior surface of thin panels. Adhesives also offer a lower cost option to traditional joining methods, decrease the margin of error and improve manufacturing processes and final products. Cost savings can be significant: while welding requires skilled operators, bonding simply requires good operators.