Bonding Low Surface Energy (LSE) Materials
Engineered plastics (like polypropylene and thermoplastics such as Nylon, COC, COP and PEBA, TPO, or TPE) and composites increasingly used in place of metals for automotive, appliance, aerospace, electronic, and medical applications. Yet while there are significant benefits to these materials, they are very difficult to adhere to due to a phenomenon called surface energy. This article, the first of our three-part series, will explain the importance of surface energy in the bonding process, and how 3M low surface energy (LSE) adhesives allow for a clean and secure bond on low surface energy plastics.