Aptek recommends the use of at least 300w/in Fusion D bulb especially to UV-cure the low modulus, low outgassing, long-polymer, multi-cure systems of 7503LM-PMF & family, 7107-PMF, etc. The Fusion D bulb can be utilized in a conveyor belt set up or in a lightbox. For strictly monomer-based, UV-cure only products, Fusion bulbs, or spot cure mercury lamps, or LED light sources are adequate to fully-cure these products, such as 7100, 7206, etc. For more info on proper UV-cure equipment, contact Technical Services.

PMF stands for “pre-mixed & frozen”. When this suffix is part of a product designation, it means that the product has been packaged in such a way that is ready for use once thawed. For example, DIS-A-PASTE 2001-PMF is a thermally conductive adhesive that is pre-mixed and packaged in user-friendly syringes (of various sizes). The material has been de-aired and then quick-frozen to ensure the longest wrk-life for the user. PMF materials ship on dry ice and must be stored at -40°C or below (or as prescribed by the products TDS). When a customer receives a shipment of a PMF, the product must be transferred to -40°C or below storage while frozen. When ready to use the product, simply remove from freezer and allow to fully thaw at room temperature and then use in application.

Yes, when finished using a PMF product at a given time, replace lid or cap securely and then place into deep freezer. Howvere, each product has a limited work-life and the duration of “out-time” at room temperature will use up work-life so it is important to be mindful of how long a material has been used in one sitting. Furthermore, when placing a product back in the freezer, it takes time for the product to gradually drop down to freezing temperatures, which is also cutting into work-life.

B/C/B is a registered trademark of Aptek Labs, Inc. and refers to the unique technology of applying B-staged adhesives to either side of a fully cured C-staged film.

Many of Aptek’s urethans and silicone products have a low Tg < -50°C. Low Tg products are characteristically excellent stress absorbers and can easily withstand a wide range to temperature cycling, causing cracking. Typically, low Tg materials are low modulus, flexible, and are on the Shore A hardness scale vs. high Tg materials which are usually more rigid, higher modulus, higher hardness, and higher strength.

1) First try to mechanically remove any bulk adhesive with an Exacto Knife or razor blade. The material is soft enough that you can slice into it with a blade.

2) To remove cured material under a bonded component, heat the board in an ACO (air-circulating oven) at ~100C or as hot as your part can tolerate for 15-20 minutes. Then, wearing protective gloves, remove the hot part from the oven and using a thin spatula or razor blade, etc., try to pry up the part or component from the board.

3) To remove any adhesive residue from the board or component, mechanically remove as much as possible with a razor blade. Any remaining residue can be removed with a fine-grit sand paper. Then clean the area with anhydrous IPA and allow to fully dry. If you are going to reapply the same DIS-A-PASTE adhesive to the reworked area, it is OK if a small amount of residue remains on the part/board as the material adheres well to itself.

1) Clean surface to be coated with a lint-free cloth (or a TexWipe ) wetted with reagent-grade toluene to remove any dirt or oil residue.

2) Repeat Step #1 using anhydrous IPA.

3) Perform oxy-bleach scrub/water break test, as follows:

1: Lightly apply/sprinkle Ajax oxygen bleach cleanser on the pre-solvent wiped substrates

2: Generously wet a green or maroon Scotch-Brite scouring pad with tap water.

3: With moderate/firm pressure, scrub the Ajax over the entire surface area to be coated, including all edges, with the wetted Scotch-Brite scouring pad.

4: Thoroughly rinse substrate with tap water or DI water to remove all the cleanser.

5: Perform final rinse and water-break test using DI water to ensure that the surface is completely clean. Water must form a continuous, “sheet-like” surface without fish eyes or breaks. If fish eyes or breaks are present, repeat above steps until substrate is cleaned to a water-break condition.

4) Thoroughly rinse the panel with anhydrous IPA, and allow to air-dry for 5 minutes. Then dry for a minimum of 15 minutes @ 60 – 65°C in an air circulating oven.

5) Do not handle prepared surface of substrate to be sprayed with bare hands, as body oils could be transferred. Lint-free, clean cotton gloves are preferred. Neoprene or rubber gloves are discouraged since they may contain powders or other lubricants which could adversely affect the surface condition.