Customer Challenge:
UV cure encapsulants offer unique features and constraints compared to more conventional encapsulating resin systems. The UV cure aspect enables users to cure the system quickly, preventing bottlenecks in their production process while the depth of cure limits users to a thickness of about 5mm. Aside from a fast cure response, UV encapsulants offer excellent dielectric properties and water resistance, making these materials ideal for harsher environments like marine settings.
Sonar systems like reelable active passive sonar allow for submarine detection by surfaced vessels. The modular assembly mounts onto the stern of boats and reels arrays deep below the water surface where it can not only listen for sound (passive sonar) across multiple frequencies but also try and detect objects by emitting sounds and detecting the reflected signal (active sonar).
These instruments rely on a reel system to raise and lower the sensitive arrays. Due to the weight of the cables, the system is controlled electrically by a motor. For this customer, the challenge was finding a fast cure encapsulant that provided good dielectric and water protection for the motor circuits.
KEY CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
- Fast cure system
- Easily dispensed for precision application
- Good dielectric properties
SOLUTION
MG Chemicals UVLED82 is a single component, low viscosity UV cure adhesive that cures using both conventional broadband and LED light sources. The UVLED82 is formulated so that it can cure to depths of 5mm thick meaning it can function both as an adhesive and an encapsulant for circuit boards. The cured material is electrically insulating and strongly resistant to water. The low viscosity of the material enabled the customer to dispense the material using automated dispensing equipment to ensure high precision and selectivity.
CONCLUSION
Sub sea monitoring can be done using sonar systems such as reelable active passive sonar. These systems send sensitive arrays deep below the water surface with heavy duty cable that requires an electric motor to drive the axel. To ensure the longevity of the motor boards, encapsulants with good water resistance and dielectric properties are needed to prevent arcing and shorts. UV encapsulants like the UVLED82 have excellent water resistance and dielectric properties, making it a suitable candidate material for marine applications.
