LORD IMB 3050 Silicone Bonding Surface Treatment

Materials and molding process

LORD IMB 3050 promotes adhesion of addition-cured, platinum-cured silicone rubber to metals and compatible plastics during injection or compression molding. Compatible plastic substrates include polycarbonate, polyphenylsulfone, polyetherimide, selected polyamides, some elastomers and other compatible thermoplastics.

Used on its own, it is a single-component treatment with a non-settling formulation. It dries at room temperature to a clear, nearly colorless film.

Preparation and application

Remove oils, fingerprints, dust, mold release agents and other contaminants, and allow surfaces to dry thoroughly. Plasma treatment is generally not necessary for thermoplastics, but can improve wetting on difficult or low-surface-energy substrates.

Apply by dip, brush or spray. The recommended dry-film thickness is 2–5 μm. Dry for 30 minutes at room temperature; do not use infrared drying. A 65°C convection oven can be used to accelerate drying.

Mold the coated parts within 24 hours of application. Until molding, avoid excessive humidity and store the parts at less than 50% relative humidity.

Optional catalyst

For difficult silicone formulations or increased durability under severe exposure such as steam autoclaving, LORD IMB 3040 B catalyst can be added. The recommended starting ratio is IMB 3050:IMB 3040 B = 10:2 by weight, with thorough mixing. The mixed working life is approximately 24 hours at room temperature. This mixture working life is separate from the coated-part molding window above.

Typical properties of IMB 3050

Property	Typical value
Appearance	Clear to slightly yellow liquid
Viscosity at 25°C	≤20 cps, Brookfield LVT, spindle 1, 60 rpm
Density	930 kg/m³
Solids by weight	5–7%
Solids by volume	5–7%
Solvent system	Propylene glycol methyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

Typical values are for reference, not product specifications. Confirm the silicone formulation, substrate compatibility and molding conditions for the intended part.

Supply and technical enquiries

Hongtu Chemical supplies LORD IMB 3050 as an authorized distributor. Contact our team for quotations, technical documents or advice on silicone bonding during molding.