Permabond MT3836 from Permabond is a two-component, thermally conductive adhesive suited to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) battery assemblies, motor controllers and high-power electronics where thermal management, impact absorption and vibration tolerance are important considerations.
The modified hybrid silane polymer adhesive combines flexible bonding properties with fire-retardant performance and a room-temperature curing formulation, making it suitable for bonding and sealing a range of dissimilar materials.
Thermal Management for UAV Electronics
MT3836 has a thermal conductivity of 1.05 W/(m.K), considerably higher than that of a standard adhesive. The formulation incorporates aluminium hydroxide, which contributes to its ability to facilitate heat transfer between bonded substrates.
Thermally conductive adhesives can be used to bond aluminium heat sinks to electronic housings, power electronics and other heat-generating components. In EV battery packs, they can help transfer heat away from battery cells toward cooling systems, such as aluminium cooling plates.
Other applications include bonding components around electric motors and generators to help dissipate heat into cooling housings, as well as replacing welding, soldering or mechanical fasteners where the original connection serves as a heat-transfer path.
Flexible Bonding and Vibration Resistance
The adhesive has a cured hardness of 60 Shore A, providing a soft, flexible bond capable of accommodating movement between substrates.
This flexibility is particularly useful when joining dissimilar materials with different rates of thermal expansion and contraction. Compared with less flexible adhesives, MT3836 can more readily accommodate these differences while providing a durable bond and complete seal.
Its resistance to impact and vibration also makes it suitable for sensitive electronic assemblies and battery components where mechanical movement must be considered.
Fire-Retardant Performance
MT3836 is described by Permabond as flame retardant to UL94 V-0, with self-extinguishing properties when exposed to flames. The formulation is designed to meet UL94 V-0 fire-retardancy requirements.
The aluminium hydroxide incorporated into the formulation contributes to both its thermal conductivity and fire resistance by absorbing heat and suppressing combustion.
These properties are particularly relevant to battery applications, enclosed electronics bays and related installations where fire-retardant material performance is an important consideration.
Material Compatibility and Room-Temperature Curing
MT3836 can bond metals, composites and a variety of plastics, including polycarbonate, ABS and traditionally challenging materials such as nylon. Its compatibility with different substrates provides flexibility in material selection and joint design.
Unlike one-component MS polymer adhesives, which rely on moisture to achieve a full cure, MT3836 cures through a chemical reaction between its two components at room temperature. The formulation also provides gap-filling capabilities for bonding and sealing applications.
The combination of thermal conductivity, flexible bonding, vibration resistance and fire-retardant properties makes MT3836 an adhesive option for UAV electronic and battery assemblies requiring both heat transfer and accommodation of mechanical movement.
