# UV9000 Series Adhesive Guidelines\n---\n([Download a PDF of this guideline document.](https://www.slee.com/assets/CrystalEdge%20GenInfo%20-%20UV9000%20Guidelines.pdf))\n([Download a PDF of this adhesive's MSDS document.](https://www.slee.com/assets/CrystalEdge%20GenInfo%20-%20UV9000%20MSDS.pdf))\n---\n### Summary\nThe CrystalEdge® UV9000 series of Optical Adhesive is designed for the precision high strength bonding of glass and crystal components. It is also used for the bonding of glass and crystal to marble, granite and metal. Unlike other Optical Adhesive’s that are medium to heavy viscosity, UV9000 is an ultra low viscosity adhesive that works by “Capillary Attraction”, or “Suction”. The ultra low viscosity enables the adhesive to literally be pulled into the joint to be bonded by a “wicking action”. By applying the adhesive to only one side of the joint to be bonded with a special applicator needle, the wicking action pulls the adhesive across the area of the bond. This may take from a few seconds on thinner glass, to several minutes for thick glass or Optic Crystal blocks. The result, when done under optimum conditions is a bonded joint that is up to three times stronger than other adhesives.\n\nWe recommend that for all materials, or material combinations, you conduct your own destructive tests. The variables such as surface finish, material types to be bonded, joint cleanliness, and UV curing lamp performance all have a direct affect on the strength of the finished bonded product. With precision machined surfaces, correct joint cleaning, and optimum UV curing equipment, UV9000 Adhesive will out perform most other adhesives on the market at any price.\n\n### Material Types That Can Be Bonded\nUV9000 adhesive is specifically designed for use on the **precision machine finished surfaces of glass and crystal**. The adhesive may also be used for bonding glass and crystal products to marble, granite and metal although our UV8000 Adhesive is more suitable for this.\n\n### Surface Requirements\nFor optimum bond strength results, all glass or crystal surfaces should be precision machined. Products that are hand finished often have an irregular surface, and although they can be bonded successfully using UV9000 adhesive, the joint strength will be reduced when compared to precision machined surfaces. For non glass materials such as marble, granite or metal, the better the surface flatness, the stronger the bond. Usually, the surface of marble is not precision ground. Marble almost always contains surface imperfections caused by grain irregularities that are present in this naturally formed material. With good quality marble however, our experience has been that UV9000 adhesive can achieve excellent results. \n\nAll surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before bonding. We do not recommend glass cleaner or acetone. Isopropyl Alcohol of a 90% concentration (obtainable at most drug stores) seems to work the best. Apply a liberal amount of the alcohol with either a cotton cloth or a paper towel and allow both surfaces to evaporate the alcohol.\n\n### Adhesive Application\nUnlike other adhesives, which are normally added to a joint surface first, then pressed together, UV9000 adhesive is applied after the two pieces are positioned in place for bonding. With the use of a special needle applicator, the adhesive is normally only applied to one side of the joint to be bonded. The needle is positioned into the small bevel of the upright piece and drawn backwards while adhesive flows through the needle. For glass up to 1/2” in thickness one or two applications (one after the other) are sufficient. For thicker glass, more applications may be required to allow sufficient adhesive to flow into the joint to be bonded.\n\nAs soon as the adhesive is applied to the joint you should notice that the adhesive is being pulled into the joint by wicking or “Capillary Attraction”. For glass up to 1/2” in thickness, the time required for the adhesive to cover the entire joint surface may range from 10 seconds to 45 seconds. Thicker glass will take longer depending on surface quality and overall size. If the adhesive does not cover the complete area, simply slide the two pieces apart, clean the adhesive off with alcohol and apply a little more adhesive the next time. If however the adhesive does not cover the joint completely and leaves voids, the surface of one of the pieces is most likely either not sufficiently flat to achieve a perfect bond (which often is the case with some imported hand finished glass blanks), or the surface has a watermark on it. A watermark is a dry mineral deposit that is left when glass is cleaned with exceptionally hard water then allowed to dry naturally, instead of being wiped clean. These mineral deposits cannot be removed by glass cleaner and will need to be removed carefully either by using dry pumice powder, or by rubbing gently with a very fine grade of steel wool. Dry pumice powder may be purchased from us (Part # PUMICE) and steel wool (grade 000 or 0000) is available from most hardware stores.\n\nFor bonding glass or crystal with very large coverage areas we suggest that you apply a small amount of adhesive right in the center of the area to be bonded. This is best done on the base and not the upright. The amount of adhesive will depend on the actual area to be bonded and could range from a drop that is quarter of an inch in diameter, to an amount that is the size of a dime. For very large bond areas (four square inches or more) a modest amount of heat to both the base and upright applied by a hot air gun will significantly enhance the Capillary action of the adhesive. Normally a range of 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. When you position the vertical piece on the base, you will see that the drop of adhesive will start to work it’s way out to the edges immediately. This may take anywhere from 45 seconds to several minutes depending on the size of bonding area and the surface conditions.\n\n### Adhesive Curing\nOnce the adhesive has fully covered the area to be bonded, and no voids or bubbles are present, the adhesive can be cured using the same Ultra Violet (UV) lamps that you now use for medium viscosity adhesives such as our own UV8000, 9050, 9050A and Loctite’s 349. Depending on the type of UV lamp and output power, the UV9000 adhesive curing time will range from 10 seconds to 5 minutes or more. The UV9000 adhesive reaction time that actually starts the chemical reaction curing process once exposed to UV light, is quicker than any other adhesive we have tested. The ultra low viscosity of this adhesive reacts extremely well to the new higher power UV lamps on the market. We suggest that you experiment with your current UV lamps to find the optimum curing time for the type of joint being bonded. For more information on our new high power UV Curing Lamps, visit crystaledge.com. You will require a sign in code and password as the lamps are in the “members only” secure section of the website under **Accessory Products**.\n\n### Adhesive Clean Up\nOne of the most important benefits gained by the use of UV9000 adhesive is the reduced clean up time. Firstly, because of the ultra low viscosity of the adhesive applied with the special applicator needle, very little of the adhesive is expelled from the bond joint. When carefully applied, clean up is virtually eliminated. Another major improvement with this new adhesive is that **any excess adhesive that remains outside the bond joint area will remain liquid** and can literally be wiped off with a paper towel soaked with a little glass cleaner. The excess adhesive will only start to harden if the piece is left under the UV lamp source for a long time (usually more than 5 minutes). Under normal curing times (2-3 minutes) the excess adhesive will remain liquid, however the bond joint is fully cured. With careful use of the adhesive with the applicator needle, the virtual elimination of clean up is possible.\n\n### MSDS Sheets (Material Safety Data)\n([View this product's MSDS by clicking here.](https://www.slee.com/assets/CrystalEdge%20GenInfo%20-%20UV9000%20MSDS.pdf))\n\nEach bottle of UV9000 Adhesive is shipped with an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). We can also fax or e-mail a PDF copy upon request. Please contact customer service at 1-800-875-7808 or e-mail [info@slee.com](mailto:info@slee.com).\n\n### Technical Characteristics\nQuality | Details\n---|---\nMaterial Basis: | Acrylates\nColor: | Glass Clear\nRefractive Index: | Approx. 1.55\nDensity: | Approx. 1.10g/cm3\nSolid Content: | 100%\nFlash Point: | Approx. 95˚C\nViscosity: | Approx. 80 mPa-s\nConsistency: | Low viscous, capillary active\nGap width: | 0.04 – 0.2mm\nIrradiation: | UVA 320-400 nm\nHardness: | Approx. 80 Shore D\nShear Strength: | Approx 23N/mm3\nTemperature Resistance: | -40˚C to +120˚C\nLinear Shrinkage: | Approx. 5%\nStorage: | In original container dry and dark (without UV exposure). Shelf life 6 months at room temperature, up to 12 months well cooled (50 to 60F)\n\n### UV9000 Ordering Information\n**Part# SLXUV9000:** 0.7 Ounce (20gram)\n**Part# SLXUV9001:** 3.58 Ounce (100gram)\n**Part# SLXUV9002:** 8.8 Ounce (250gram)\n**Part# SLXUV9003:** 35 Ounce (1000gram) (1 liter)\n**Part# SLXUV9000N:** Needle Applicator & Bottle Adapter for use with UV900, 1 & 2 bottles\n**Part# SLXUV9000N/5:** Replacement Needle Applicators (Pack of 5)\n