As technology in the optics industry continues to advance and improve, careful consideration of the properties of epoxies must be evaluated. When determining the most effective adhesive to be used in opto-electronics, medical and other optic related industry applications, trade-offs of key characteristics should be assessed.
Selecting the right adhesive is a balancing act as engineers attempt to find products that meet conflicting end-use and manufacturability requirements. Medical device engineers also have to contend with a strict regulatory environment, and therefore often have the toughest time striking that balance.
The hermetic sealing of electrical and optical feedthroughs is a critical area for assuring the longevity and reliability of devices such as optical assemblies, thermocouples, EV battery packs, power supplies, transformers, and generators.
The rise of electric vehicles and driver aids along with the proliferation of electronic sensors and safety features point towards continued growth in automotive electronics.
For a UV curable adhesive, the cure initiates after exposure to UV light at a wavelength that is specific to the photo-initiator used in the formula. A dual cure adhesive has the UV light cure as the first step in the process, followed by a secondary thermal cure achievable at temperatures as low as 80°C.
Specially formulated epoxy systems are capable of maintaining performance at temperatures approaching absolute zero, while delivering the required physical, thermal, and electrical characteristics needed for a specific application. Delve into some select case studies to see how specific cryogenic epoxies are used in a variety of high tech industries and applications.