ACRI-BOND UV1035 Thin Viscosity Plastic UV Adhesive

ACRI-BOND UV1035 is a low viscosity UV Glue designed for bubble free bonding of Acrylic, Polycarbonate and other listed plastics. ACRI-BOND UV1035 cures rapidly under visible light of 365nm. The adhesion strength of this adhesive when fully cured is stronger than the original materials in most cases. This adhesive is a very low viscosity allowing for it to be used via capillary effect similar to ACRI-BOND 105.

UV Glues are high visual appearance adhesives meaning you can get perfect liquid looking joints without any bubbles, crazing or blushing. The adhesive will not start to cure unless exposed to UV Light meaning, you have the ability to align everything, make sure your joints are free from air gaps and perfect, remove excess uncured adhesive then users can cure the glue. Curing is virtually instant when exposed to 365nm Visible Light, the joint is ready to go almost straightaway, just have to allow a couple minutes for cooling of the joint for full strength.

Product Overview

ACRI-BOND UV1035 is a low-viscosity 25±5 (CPS@25℃), photo-curing adhesive formulated for highly precise bonding applications where clarity and flow are essential. Curing rapidly under ultraviolet light of 365nm. It delivers strong, transparent liquid looking bonds with excellent toughness and shock resistance with no yellowing overtime. UV1035 is a single component no mixing required, solvent free and 100% solids. 

UV adhesives are the perfect solution when you need crystal-clear, high-visual appearance joints when working with acrylic. Unlike traditional solvent cements that can leave bubbles or whitening marks along the edges, UV glues cure transparent and liquid, ensuring flawless results. With the right preparation, a controlled work environment, and proper tooling, you can achieve museum-quality joinery that looks seamless.

Another advantage to using UV Adhesives is that they will not cure until exposed to ultraviolet light, this means users can make fine adjustments like alignment, removing airgaps and removing excess uncured adhesive, then when satisfied with the appearance users can set the adhesive off.

This adhesive is specifically engineered for acrylic to acrylic bonding but also shows great results with Polycarbonate and other plastics. It excels in bonding butt joints, t joints and mitre joints and can be used with the same techniques as water thin solvent adhesives like ACRI-BOND 105, via a capillary effect or wicking, more on how that works here.

Our UV adhesives are designed to provide maximum clarity and consistency, allowing professionals to deliver a polished finish without the common defects associated with solvent adhesives. For manufacturers, fabricators, and designers looking to elevate their acrylic projects, UV adhesives are the superior choice for both aesthetics and repeatability.

Choosing between UV Glue Viscosities

Acri-Bond UV1035 – Low Viscosity 25±5 (CPS@25℃). Used for joints that require a capillary effect but do not require any gap filling.

Acri-Bond UV2046 – Medium Viscosity 60±10 (CPS@25℃). It can be used for capillary effect if when you cut the acrylic mitre you cut at 44°-44.5° to allow the glue to flow into the joint. It can also be used by applying and pressing the two surfaces together and used for mild gap filling.

Acri-Bond UV3232 – High Viscosity 900±100 (CPS@25℃). Can be used for face to face joining, using to ‘tack’ a joint, also be applied on the joint then pressed together. Has good gap filling capacity and hardly runs due to the high viscosity.

Key considerations

Type of Acrylic

The acrylic being used needs to allow UV light through, if the acrylic is opaque or has high UV Blocking Additives the UV Adhesive will not cure under UV Light. The easiest way to check is shine your UV light through the acrylic onto a blank piece of paper and check how much light passes through, if it is less than approximately 20% of light emitted without shining through acrylic you will benefit from using a different brands acrylic when using UV Adhesives.

At least one side of the joint needs to be transparent to allow the UV Light through to cure the adhesive if both parts of the joint are opaque and don’t allow UV Light through then you can’t use UV adhesives, in that case consider our Solvent Adhesives or Methacrylate Adhesives.

Outdoor Use

UV Adhesive is not waterproof, continuous exposure to water ie – aquarium or outdoor signage will cause the bond to fall apart overtime.

Correct Frequency Torch

It is important to use the correct frequency torch as mentioned further below it is crucial to fully curing the adhesive and will result in stronger bonds.

Acrylic Preparation

To get the best possible joint both aesthetically and strength wise it is best to avoid flame polishing, diamond polishing or straight off a laser. When you use these techniques for acrylic preparation you are essentially creating a surface where adhesives aren’t able to “bite” into creating that strong bond that you want. Flame Polishing and Diamond Polishing are both finishing techniques not preparation techniques for gluing. If you laser cut your acrylic the UV Adhesive will still work but for a better bond, sand the surface with 240-400 grit sandpaper for better adhesion. The best adhesion will come from a saw cut edge, finished with either a router or sanded perfectly by machine (be careful not to round edges best done on machine). The adhesive when cured will make the edge look “liquid” anyway so the finish trying to be achieved by diamond or flame polishing will be achieved anyway with the glue itself, so it is unnecessary.

Applications and Uses

These adhesives are widely used in Acrylic Fabrication Worldwide. They are used to produce flawless display boxes for museums and shopping centres, bonding decorative items like displays and awards, point of sale items and many other acrylic fabrication jobs that require perfect joints.

If you see a perfect joint that is bubble free with no crazing its highly likely that it was made with our UV Adhesives.

Tools and Accessories

Suitable Torch

Our UV Glues and many other brands of UV Glues require a 365nm Frequency to cure the UV Glue. If this frequency is not focused on 365nm it will only skin the top few layers of the glue, making it seem like it is set but in reality, it has not been fully cured and will likely fall apart when put under tension.

The difference lies in the LEDs, Japanese and some Korean Made LEDs are focused to be at 365nm and are 1% at most away from 365nm. Which is approximately a +- 4nm range. The average peak of the frequency is at 365nm. This is a reliable torch as you know for certain the frequency is always at 365nm.

Whereas the cheap alternatives use cheap Chinese LEDs which have a stated frequency of 365nm but are on a wider spectrum of light. Which are approximately 28% away from the stated amount. The peaks are generally around 395nm-425nm. These LEDs are unreliable and will not properly cure most UV Glues on the market.

We have two options available on the market. A UV Rechargeable Torch Kit for one smaller jobs and a custom UV Curing System for larger and more frequent jobs. Both of these UV Lights are 365nm spec perfect for our UV Glues and other types of UV Adhesives on the market too.

Uv safe bottles

It is important to use applicator bottles that are UV safe. Our 50mL and 100mL UV Applicator bottles are suitable. This is crucial as it protects the adhesive from light exposure. We are in the process of producing a UV Safe Bottle with Lure Cap Attachment for even more precise application. 

Technical Highlights

Instructions for use

For best performance bond surfaces should be clean and free from grease. Simple solvent cleaner wipe is generally sufficient. We recommend the following products for cleaning - ACRI-BOND Cleaner. The product should be dispensed from a suitable applicator, it is recommended to just apply from the applicator provided as it is a UV Safe Bottle, dispensing into another applicator may cause the adhesive to prematurely activate. Cure rate is dependent on various factors such as lamp intensity, distance from light source, depth of cure needed or bond line gap and light transmittance of the substrate through which the radiation must pass. Test before use. Excess uncured adhesive can be wiped away with isopropyl alcohol. Bonds should be allowed to cool before subjecting to any service loads.

Shelf Life, Storage and Pack Size

ACRI-BOND UV1035 has an 18 Month Shelf Life when stored correctly.

Store in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight, an enclosed cabinet is recommended, to extend the shelf life of this product. Keep the open container tightly closed do not leave open as the adhesive will evaporate. If you have not used the adhesive in 3 months, give the container a swirl, do not shake the container as it will create bubbles.

Our UV Adhesives come in two size options (50mL and 1L) both are always in stock. Email us for a trade price enquiry for the 1L Stock.

Downloads

Material Safety Data Sheet