H.B. Fuller intros highly flexible, UL 94-V0 certified epoxy potting compound for electronics manufacturing

USA: H.B. Fuller Co., a leading global adhesives provider, has expanded its family of materials for the encapsulation and protection of electronic assemblies and components with the launch of FH1438AB epoxy potting compound.

Leveraging its extensive formulating, applications and market knowledge, H.B. Fuller has completed the comprehensive Underwriters Laboratories (UL) QMFZ2.E89705 Recognition Program for FH1438AB potting compound to provide a highly flexible material that, in turn, can potentially help finished goods manufacturers more quickly attain UL certification.

This new addition to H.B. Fuller's electronic materials potting compounds is tested and certified as a UL Recognized Component to meet the UL 94-V0 flame rating. UL certification is a pre-requisite for encapsulation materials, particularly those operating in harsh environments (e.g. saltwater and Fuel C), when the application design requires the combination of flame retardancy, heat resistance, dampening and vibration resistance properties.

"We have seen an increasing demand for materials that meet the UL 94-V0 certification. This UL 94-V0 certification gives our customers the confidence to specify this material for use in electronic applications," said Ralph Velazquez, business development manager advanced materials at H.B. Fuller. This material also provides a lower moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) than other materials like silicones.

H.B. Fuller's FH1438AB potting compound is a two-part epoxy resin system. This highly flexible material with a durometer value of 70 Shore 00 provides the required protection to surface mount components (SMT) during a wide range of temperature cycles without subjection to high stress levels. The potting compound is also formulated with high resistance to age hardening, which provides a consistent durometer measurement over time while maintaining resistance to salt water and Fuel C.  It has excellent adhesion to many substrates such as aluminum, most plastics and Viton fluoroelastomer with no primer requirements.

In some instances, manufacturers using UL certified materials can bypass some or all of their testing when seeking UL certification of their products, providing assurance that their finished goods meet all standards. Typical applications for this material are those where high reliability and flame prevention is critical such as solid-state LED lighting modules, power supplies and automotive assemblies.