Henkel LOCTITE AA 3493 UV Light Cure Adhesive for Glass and Metal Bonding

LOCTITE AA 3493 UV Light Cure Adhesive for High-Speed Glass Assembly

This adhesive allows manufacturers to position parts accurately before initiating cure. Once the joint is exposed to a suitable UV source, strength develops on demand, reducing fixture time and work-in-process inventory. Under Henkel test conditions, a UV intensity of 30 mW/cm² can fixture close-fitting glass in approximately four seconds, while 100 mW/cm² can reduce fixture time to approximately one second. Actual cure speed depends on lamp output, wavelength, distance, substrate transmission, bond-line gap, and exposure duration.

The uncured material has a typical specific gravity of 1.03, refractive index of 1.48, and Brookfield viscosity from 5,000 to 7,000 mPa·s at 25°C. This medium-viscosity profile helps the liquid remain within the intended area while still wetting smooth and moderately irregular surfaces. The transparent appearance makes LOCTITE AA 3493 UV Light Cure Adhesive especially useful for visible joints where clarity and neat finishing are commercially important.

Glass Bonding, Sealing, and Potting Applications

Typical applications include glass-to-glass bonding, glass-to-metal assembly, rough decorative glass, molded tableware, display components, automotive lamps, lighting modules, and transparent industrial housings. Published block-shear values demonstrate bonding capability to steel, aluminum, stainless steel, G-10 epoxy glass, PVC, ABS, polycarbonate, and acrylic when joined to glass under specified laboratory conditions.

After curing, the adhesive forms a tough material with a typical Shore D hardness of 75, tensile strength at break of approximately 33.8 MPa, and elongation at break of approximately 260%. These properties provide a valuable balance of rigidity, toughness, and impact resistance for components exposed to handling, transportation, humidity, washing, or temperature changes.

7 Benefits of LOCTITE AA 3493 UV Light Cure Adhesive

• One-component processing: Requires no resin or hardener mixing.
• Rapid UV curing: Supports efficient automated and high-volume production.
• Transparent finish: Creates clean-looking decorative and visible glass joints.
• Moisture resistance: Withstands prolonged humidity and water immersion.
• Versatile application: Suitable for bonding, sealing, potting, and component tacking.
• Controlled dispensing: Medium viscosity supports accurate placement and gap filling.
• Multi-substrate adhesion: Bonds glass, metals, and selected engineering plastics.

Application and UV-Curing Guidance

Surfaces should be clean, dry, and free from grease, dust, moisture, release agents, and other contamination. Dispense the adhesive through light-protected equipment; Henkel recommends black feed lines because the product is light sensitive. Assemble the components, confirm alignment, and expose the complete bond area to validated UV energy. For adhesive joints, Henkel recommends at least 40 mW/cm² measured at the bond line, with exposure lasting approximately five to six times the fixture time.

Higher intensity is recommended when a tack-free exposed surface is required for coating, potting, or tacking. Cooling may be necessary for heat-sensitive thermoplastics, and plastic grades should be tested for stress cracking before production approval. Allow bonded parts to cool before applying service loads.

Official Resources and Related Products

Review the official LOCTITE AA 3493 technical data sheet for verified curing parameters, mechanical properties, storage instructions, and safety guidance. Henkel’s light-cure adhesive resource also provides information about UV equipment and process selection.

Explore our light cure adhesives for additional fast-curing assembly products, or browse our glass bonding adhesives for decorative glass, lighting components, displays, and glass-to-metal applications. Contact our sales team for quotations, stock confirmation, technical documentation, dispensing recommendations, and export support.