Situation:

A dehumidifier manufacturer was designing a new product but was not able to find a suitable alternative to welding to join powder coated panels with stainless steel in the cabinet which would successfully pass their strength and impact test requirements.

Challenges:

Initially, the client was welding the substrates together, but was facing the following challenges:

• dissimilar metals was challenging as well as a labor-intensive process
• Welding sheet metal distorts the surface and leaves weld marks creating a poor product appearance
• Weld beads are prone to corrosion within the moist internal environment of the dehumidifier

Solutions:

The manufacturer tested bonding powder coated panels with stainless steel using LOCTITE acrylic structural bonder H3151.

The bond line areas on the sheet metals components are slightly abraded to optimize bond strength. LOCTITE H3151 is dispensed as a bead from a dual cartridge dispenser equipped with a nozzle on the bond line.

During testing it was found that assembly bonded with LOCTITE H3151 met all quality requirements while reducing the overall assembly time as compared to welding.

Result

Bonding with LOCTITE:

• Simplified the process increasing productivity Led to stronger assembly and increased reliability
• Improved product appearance by eliminating distortions and weld marks
• Sealed the product against moisture and subsequent corrosion