Methylene Chloride has been a big topic of debate in the adhesives industry of late. Weighing the health risks of using an adhesive that has Methylene Chloride in it and the disadvantages of many of the Methylene Chloride Free options available can be quite complex.
In many industries, government regulators are now stepping in and taking the choices away from you, by regulating that in certain environments Methylene Chloride free adhesives must be used.
Methylene Chloride free doesn’t have to mean lower quality however, at TensorGrip we are developing a range of high-performance Methylene Chloride free adhesives that give you the same time saving, easy to use properties that you have come to love from our adhesives with a safer solvent base.
What is the issue with Methylene Chloride?
The main health risk associated with Methylene Chloride is that it is an irritant. If it gets on your skin it can cause rashes and burns, if it gets in your eyes it can be quite painful and cause burns and headaches and if it gets into your blood it can cause damage to your organs. The main concern with Methylene Chloride however is that The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as a suspected human carcinogen, meaning they think excessive exposure can cause cancer, but at present there is no conclusive evidence.
The risks associated with using Methylene Chloride based adhesives
The risks associated with using Methylene Chloride based adhesives are dependent on the amount of Methylene Chloride used in the mixture. Methylene chloride begins to evaporate as soon as it is exposed to the air so the more solvent in the adhesive the greater the likely exposure. Deliberately inhaling the fumes from a bucket of Methylene Chloride based adhesive will give you a large dose of exposure and likely cause irritation and breathing issues. However, if used correctly and with the right safety precautions, including adequate ventilation, Methylene Chloride based adhesive can be used quite safely.
What are the issues with Methylene Chloride free adhesives?
Many people believe that using Methylene Chloride free adhesives means compromising on the strength of the adhesive, both in the initial stages and throughout the life of the adhesive and the tack off speed. At TensorGrip however, we have developed a range of Methylene Chloride free adhesives that offer the same fast tack-off times and high strength that you have come to expect from all our adhesives.
TensorGrip’s Methylene Chloride Free Adhesive Range
For the Joinery Industry we have TensorGrip L20 which offers fantastic laminate bonding and is ideal for bonding veneers, offering increased solvent resistance to prevent the adhesive softening during the lacquering process.
In the Foam & Upholstery Industry, TensorGrip F40 offers a Methylene Chloride Free alternative for many applications, including Foam & fabric bonding, foam-to-timber bonding, single sided webbing to foam application, bullnosing and bonding of polystyrene.
Specifically made for bonding Acoustic panels, TensorGrip X41 offers, fast tack-off, long open time and is suitable for range of other applications, including bonding polystyrene insulation to concrete and brick.
For the Insulation industry, both TensorGrip H30 and TensorGrip H50 offer Methylene Chloride free bonding solutions for a range of insulation materials.
TensorGrip T40 facilitates a great range of interior fit out solutions for the transport industry.
And our first non-toxic, water based adhesive TensorGrip FS707 is a carpet tile tackifier, offering safer bonding as well as the ability to bond vinyl backed carpet tiles.
When using TensorGrip, you don’t have to worry about those new regulations catching up with you, get ahead of the change with TensorGrip’s range of Methylene Chloride Free adhesives
In conclusion, while Methylene Chloride has traditionally been a key component in the adhesive industry, its associated health risks and regulatory implications make it increasingly untenable in a variety of applications. Fortunately, innovations in adhesive technology, such as those being done by TensorGrip, offer viable, high-performance alternatives. Our Methylene Chloride-free adhesives not only ensure safety and compliance but also uphold the same high standards of quality, strength, and efficiency that you have come to expect. Choosing TensorGrip means choosing a safer, healthier working environment without any compromise on the efficacy of your adhesive solution. Let's embrace the change together, for a safer, healthier future.
