Unsupported, Cyanate Ester Film Adhesive Handling Guidelines

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18410 Butterfield Blvd.. Morgan Hill, CA (408) 776-0700 Fax (408) 776-0107 E-mail: bryte@brytetech.com EXACTING MATERIALS FOR THE COMPOSITE INDUSTRY Member of Royal Ten Cate Unsupported, Cyanate Ester Film Adhesive Handling Guidelines For use in very electrically pure applications or where a thin reticulating adhesive film is
desired, Bryte Technologies manufactures Toughened Cyanate Ester film adhesives as an
unsupported film. These 0.001-0.010" films are manufactured with a differential release paper backings on
the front and back surfaces to protect the delicate films from dust and debris and to allow
easier handling during pattern cutting operations. Since the films are somewhat delicate, especially in their thinner forms (.005" and under),
Bryte Technologies has developed the following handling procedures to minimize the
problems generally associated with utilizing unsupported films. I. Film Adhesive Handling Procedure 1. Cut out patterns of adhesive with a sharp razor knife. 2. Utilizing the razor knife, separate the release film from the adhesive at one corner. 3. Remove the release paper ***Note: The film adhesive will remain on the "tighter" of the 2 release papers. 4. Place the film adhesive in place onto the hardware, core (core material that is moisture susceptible must be thoroughly dried before use....See Section II of this Bulletin ), etc. that is to be bonded. 5. Chill the back of the release paper slightly if necessary to ease removal and minimize tearing of the thin film adhesive film. Chilling can be accomplished with a few methods: a. Wiping the release paper with an alcohol saturated, dust free towel, tissue, or rag. b. Using commercially available spray chillers. c. Dry ice. 6. Remove the Release paper backing from the adhesive. If necessary due to high
room temperatures, chill the backing as it is removed to optimize results. 18410 Butterfield Blvd.. Morgan Hill, CA (408) 776-0700 Fax (408) 776-0107 E-mail: bryte@brytetech.com EXACTING MATERIALS FOR THE COMPOSITE INDUSTRY II. Moisture Sensitivity of Cyanate Ester Products While cyanate ester products are extremely moisture resistant after they are cured, they
can be adversely affected should they be exposed to moisture before or during the cure
cycle. Moisture acts as an accelerator for the cyanate ester and the resultant carbamate
reaction between the cyanate ester and the water results in rapidly occurring carbon
dioxide (CO2) as a by product. The CO2 acts as a blowing agent and will embrittle the
bond joints. For that reason it is imperative that the following instructions are followed: 1. Assure that all adhesive is at room temperature prior to opening it from its moisture sealed bag. Re-seal all adhesive in a moisture proof bag and keep
desiccant in the bag if possible. 2. Thoroughly dry all honeycomb, foam or other moisture absorbent core products prior to use. After pulling the core from the drying oven, place it in a sealed bag
(Regular vacuum bags work well) and allow to reach room temperature with
desiccant present. If allowed to return to room temperature in the normal atmosphere, the core will re absorb the moisture that was driven off. 3. If bonding highly moisture absorbent films, plastics or composites with cyanate ester film adhesives assure that they too are dried prior to curing to avoid similar
problems as described above for core materials above. Lay-Up Area Environmental Controls Bryte recommends that any adhesive lay-up be performed in a clean area visibly free from dust. Any work surfaces should likewise be free of residue, dust or debris. No
eating or smoking shall be allowed in the shop area. For radome materials, conductive
materials shall not be allowed in the process area. The processing shop area should be
maintained between 60

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