Concerned about Chlorinated Solvents? Look no further than Tuskbond XPR0. Here we explain why….
Recently, the conversation surrounding spray adhesives has been moved to focus more heavily on chlorinated solvents. Primarily, these are focusing on the inclusion of the solvent Dichloromethane. This solvent has been used for years in the spray adhesive industry as it has properties that make it perfect for this role; being a powerful, fast drying solvent with a relatively low odour.
The downside has always been the obvious health and safety risks, with Dichloromethane being a suspected carcinogen. Whilst this risk can be managed through application of proper procedures and PPE, removing the risk completely is always preferable. In this article we’ll go over some common misconceptions regarding alternatives to Chlorinated spray adhesives.
1. Are Non-Chlorinated Adhesives a new development in the industry?
NO – Tuskbond have been developing, manufacturing, and selling non chlorinated alternatives for over 15 years (and we’ve gotten very good at it). We can offer a non-chlorinated adhesive for almost any application, and our dedicated development chemists can even help alter the formulation to fit whatever the end user needs.
2. Are Non-Chlorinated Adhesives completely safe?
NO – As with any product, always check the Safety Data Sheets and product label to make sure you aren’t trading one hazard for another. Most non-chlorinated solvents have their own hazards that you need to be aware of, usually in the form of Irritant or Environmental warnings. Be particularly aware of Polyurethane based adhesives, as these can sometimes be just as hazardous as those containing Dichloromethane.
3. What are the downsides to Non-Chlorinated adhesives?
Most non chlorinated adhesives have a stronger odour than their chlorinated counterparts, as they tend to use chemicals like Acetone which you will recognise immediately from products such as paint cleaners etc.
Also, non-chlorinated adhesives tend to have certain disadvantages during use. They are generally slower to dry than chlorinated products and are more susceptible to cold weather.
4. Is there a product that combines the benefits of a chlorinated adhesive without the downsides?
Actually, yes there is! Being the only aerosol adhesives filler who develops and manufactures their own adhesive, Tuskbond were uniquely placed to be able to offer a solution. Over recent years, we developed Tuskbond XPR0! This product uses a specialised solvent, in place of Dichloromethane, that has similar drying time, excellent cold weather resistant and more importantly, is low hazard.
To give you an idea, below is the health and safety pictograms required on the label of a traditional chlorinated adhesive, non-chlorinated alternative and Tuskbond XPR0.
