Evode brings solvent-free adhesives to UK coachbuilding market
Evode brings solvent-free adhesives to UK coachbuilding market
The Automotive Division of Evode Ltd has introduced an important new range of high technology adhesives and sealants to the UK for automotive, coachbuilding and industrial applications. The ISR 70 Series is based on MS polymers which were specifically designed to overcome the limitations in many applications of commonly used materials such as polyurethanes. A significant benefit is that these products are solvent- and isocyanate-free and can contribute to a cleaner, healthier working environment.
Originally developed by Simson BV of Holland, a sister company of Evode, the products are already in widespread use in mainland Europe, for a variety of OEM and aftermarket applications. Evode and Simson are now part of Ato Findley, the adhesives and sealants arm of Elf Atochem, which is the chemicals subsidiary of the French oil group, Elf Aquitaine.
The benefitsSimson MS polymers are suitable for many applications and claim to frequently offer the following substantial benefits over moisture-curing polyurethanes:
*Contain no solvents or isocyanates and can contribute to a cleaner, healthier working environment.
*They are versatile and easier to use because they bond more effectively to a wider range of substrates than polyurethanes.
*Less surface preparation generally required, saving material and reducing cycle-times and,therefore, proving to be extremely cost-effective.
*Extremely durable;20 years resistance to weather and UV deterioration demonstrated in simulation tests. In the same tests, a typical polyurethane shows evidence of deterioration after less than five years exposure.
*Overpaintable with most common industrial alkyd lacquers and paints or acrylic dispersion paints. Simson MS polymers even bond to many wax-based anti-corrosion paints.
*All Simson MS polymers are fast curing, in some cases faster than single part polyurethanes.
*Long-lasting adhesive strength, allowing the possible elimination or reduction of other forms of fastening.
*A comprehensive range, providing products for a wide variety of applications.
*Full technical support and advice immediately available from Evode Automotive Division or Technical Service department.
The Simson ISR 70 range currently comprises six different grades of adhesives and sealants, all of which are both elastomeric and tough, as well as being solvent- and isocyanate-free.
70-01Low strength,very flexible sealant.
70-03Medium strength, very flexible adhesive and sealant.
70-05High strength flexible adhesive and sealant.
70-06Low viscosity,very flexible narrow seam sealant and adhesive.
70-07Low viscosity sprayable sealant and coating.
70-08High "green"strength glass and multipurpose adhesive.
Primer MWash-primer for bond enhancement.
Primer GUV protection primer for unprotected glass screens.
Evo-Stik Cleaner 6Solvent glass cleaner.
As well as volume production OEMS, Evode Automotive Business manager, Tony Davison and his colleagues see strong market opportunities among specialist vehicle manufacturers and converters. Bus, coach and ambulance builders are three of the more obvious areas. Tony Davison comments: "We are delighted to have the chance to bring the Simson MS polymer products to the UK. They integrate easily into our existing product portfolio and our sales and service organisation in the UK is well set up to present the benefits of the ISR 70 Series to specific market areas. We already have strong interest from several UK companies and we anticipate that these products will make a substantial contribution to our future growth."
Current European applications include windscreen bonding, sun-roof assembly, seam sealing,trailer building and bus body construction. The variety of applications is matched by the variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, trains and trams.
Several truck and bus manufacturers use ISR 70 products for a variety of roof, side and floor panel bonding applications, frequently eliminating mechanical fastenings. A large truck manufacturer uses ISR 70-08 to bond a sound-deadening plate to a gearbox.
The high corrosion resistance and paint compatibility of the ISR 70 Series has resulted in specification by leading coach and bus manufacturers.
The integration of the Simson MS polymer products into the Evode Automotive range is the latest step in the development of the division's service to the international automotive industry. Alongside the patented Evo-Stik Elastosol range of body in white adhesives and sealants, established links with Tivoli-Werke AG of Hamburg in Germany enable the company to provide access to a wide range of adhesives and sealants for every stage of vehicle construction, from body in white, through to paintshop and final tiim.
Optare Ltd of Leeds is one of the many major European bus manufacturers using several grades of the Simson MS polymer adhesives and sealants now available to the UK market through Evode Ltd
Details are available from Evode Ltd, Common Road, Stafford ST16 3EH. Tel: 01785 257755; Fax: 01785 58439.
