Henkel electronic adhesives: important terms and abbreviations
In the following article we explain important terms and abbreviations from the field of Henkel electronic adhesives, including the terms shelf life, pot life, gel time and working life.
We explain the following abbreviations, among others: ABP, CA, CE, ECF, FT, GT, ICP, KT, LMI, MT, PC, QMI and SI.
Henkel electronic adhesives are leading and advanced
Henkel is a global leader in the production of adhesives and other materials for chip housings, printed circuit board assembly and advanced soldering solutions.
Henkel is the most advanced supplier and developer to be able to offer the necessary adhesives and other materials, the required process know-how and the necessary complete solutions for electronics assembly and production in the future.
Henkel products with their advanced formulations from the Henkel Adhesive Technologies Electronics division are already being used in state-of-the-art applications in the electronics assembly and chip packaging industry, including in electric vehicles, mobile cameras and augmented reality headsets (AR headsets).
Henkel’s advanced formulations can facilitate electrical connections and ensure structural integrity. In addition, Henkel offers products that provide critical protection and/or transfer heat to ensure reliable performance.
Important terms in the field of Henkel electronic adhesives
Important terms in the field of Henkel electronic adhesives are shelf life, pot life, gel time and working life. These terms are also used in the Technical Data Sheets (TDS) of Henkel products.
– Shelf life
The term shelf life in connection with Henkel products refers to the period during which a product complies with the properties specified in the technical data sheet. However, the storage conditions, application conditions and other handling and transportation conditions must also have been complied with.
Once the expiration date has been reached, it is possible that the product may still have its original properties, but use beyond the expiration date is a risk and is not recommended.
The shelf life can either be taken from the expiry date on the product or calculated on the basis of the specified date of manufacture by taking the shelf life from the technical data sheet.
– Pot life
The term pot life is used in connection with Henkel products to describe the period of time in which the viscosity (viscosity) of a material mixture doubles. The time begins to run when the materials are mixed and is specified in relation to a specific temperature – usually room temperature.
– Gel time
In the context of Henkel electronic adhesives, gel time refers to the time it takes for a liquid material to turn into a gel-like, i.e. viscous or pasty, material.
– Processing time (working life)
When we talk about working life in connection with Henkel electronic adhesives, we mean the period of time during which a material has a sufficiently low viscosity to be processed without problems. This means that the material can be applied to a specific part or substrate with the appropriate accuracy and tolerance during this so-called working life.
How long the processing time is depends on the respective application, including the size and shape of the glue joint, the alignment, the geometry or the dispensing method. The processing time must therefore be determined separately for each project.
The pot life provides an indication of the working time, but the working time is usually shorter. The specified pot life should not be exceeded. Even if the material can still be applied after the pot life has expired because it is sufficiently fluid, the cross-linking of the material may already be so far advanced that adhesion or other physical properties are impaired.
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Important abbreviations in the field of Henkel electronic adhesives
In connection with Henkel products, such as Henkel electronic adhesives, you often come across abbreviations that appear on Henkel products or, for example, in data sheets or product descriptions.
To make it easier for you to understand these Henkel abbreviations, we have broken down many of them in the table below:
| Abbreviation | Meaning of the abbreviation |
| ABP | The abbreviation ABP, for example, is an addition to the adhesive “Ablestik ABP”, whereby ABP stands for “Advanced Bonding Paste”. This type of adhesive is known as a die-attach adhesive. |
| (BE) | (BE) means “Made in Belgium”; today, following the renaming between 2012 and 2015, the abbreviation W1 is used instead of (BE). |
| CA | The abbreviation CA is used as an addition in “Ablestik CA”, for example, and stands for “Conductive Adhesive”. |
| CE | The abbreviation CE is used, for example, as an addition in “Ablestik CE” and stands for “Conductive Epoxy”. |
| CTE | CTE stands for “Coefficient of Thermal Expansion”. |
| ECF | The abbreviation ECF is used, for example, as an addition in “Ablestik ECF” and stands for “Electrically Conductive Film”. |
| FT | The abbreviation FT is used as an addition in “Stycast 2850FT”, for example, and stands for “Filled Thermally”. |
| GT | The abbreviation GT is used, for example, as an addition in “Stycast 2850GT” and stands for “Gritty Thermally conductive”. |
| ICP | The abbreviation ICP is used as an addition in “Ablestik ICP” and stands for “Isotropic Conductive Paste”. |
| KT | The abbreviation KT is used, for example, as an addition in “Stycast 2850KT” and stands for “Kool Thermally conductive”. |
| LMI | The abbreviation LMI is used, for example, as an addition in “Ablestik 84-1 LMI” and stands for “Low Mobile Ion”. |
| MM | The abbreviation MM stands for “meter/mix”, which indicates that the product in question has been developed for use with dosing devices in which measuring and mixing processes can be carried out. |
| MT | The abbreviation MT is used as an addition in “Stycast 2850MT”, for example, and stands for “medium thermally conductive”. |
| PC | The abbreviation PC is used, for example, as an addition in “Stycast PC” and stands for “Printed Circuit”. |
| QMI | The abbreviation QMI is used as an addition in “Ablestik QMI” and stands for “Quartz Micro-Insulated”. |
| SI | The abbreviation SI is used, for example, as an addition in “Stycast 1090 SI” and stands for “Syntactic Insulating”. |
| W1 | The abbreviation W1 means that the first composition of this product was produced in Westerlo, Belgium. The W1 label is mainly used in the European markets. Due to REACH and RoHS regulations, Henkel was forced to produce some materials in a different composition than at other locations, such as in the USA or Asia. This prevents these products from having to be withdrawn from the European market. |
| WLV | WLV stands for “Wafer Level Version”. |
Advice on Henkel electronic adhesives
We at abovo would be pleased to advise you on Henkel adhesives in the Henkel Adhesive Technologies Electronics division, including adhesives for electronics assembly and production.
Abovo has been an authorized distributor of Henkel Adhesive Technologies products for around 20 years; initially in the Henkel Electronics division and since 2022 also in the Henkel Industry division.
The best way to contact the Henkel experts at abovo is by telephone or e-mail:
- Telephone number: +41 32 552 44 44
- E-mail: info@abovo.ch
If you decide to contact us by e-mail, we will reply as quickly as possible.