The Need

Despite the utility of methacrylate adhesive chemistry, applications have been limited to industrial and biomedical use cases. This is due to the curing mechanism, which is initiated by either heat, light or a two-component redox system. This invention describes two strategies to create a single-component methacrylate adhesive system, in which the polymerization/curing reaction is triggered by ambient moisture or by physical contact between two surfaces. This eliminates the need for mixing or an external energy stimulus to initiate curing, which saves time and subsequently costs.

The Technology

Ohio State University researchers Drs. Scott Schricker and Jon Parquette have co-developed a novel hybrid adhesive technology that allows for rapid curing, without generating by-products that would reduce the adhesive strength of the compound. This hybrid process can be initiated in two ways. One way is to utilize a catalyst composed of two compounds. The other way involves the encapsulation of a large hydrophobic organic compound in microcapsules. The organic compounds prevent the polymerization process from occuring prematurely, but once the capsules break following contact with another surface the adhesive is activated and the polymerization process is initiated.

Commercial Applications

• Industrial materials bonding
• Consumer adhesives
• Construction materials bonding

Benefits/ Advantages

• Curing of adhesive is triggered by either moisture in the air or by physical contact between two surfaces.
• Eliminates the need for mixing or external activation to initiate curing.