FM® 300 is a 350ºF (177ºC) curing modified epoxy film adhesive available with three different moisture-resistant polyester carriers, and is designed for bonding metal-to-metal and sandwich composite structures. To achieve ultimate environmental resistance in bonding aluminum details, use pre-cured BR® 127 primer with FM® 300 film adhesive.

Extensively used as a surface finished ply on composite materials’ outside layers, FM® 300 film adhesive has unique properties which drastically reduce, and in some cases virtually eliminate, time-consuming sanding and filling operations.

FM® 300 film adhesive has high elongation and toughness with high ultimate shear strength. This makes it particularly suitable for redistributing the high shear stress concentrations of graphite epoxy-to-metal bonds, and allows it to accommodate the low inter-laminar shear strength of the composite.
Unit of Measure

Characteristics for Physical Properties

Shelf Life

N/A 4 months at or below 40ºF (4ºC) from date of shipment for unsupported film 12 months at or below 0ºF (-18ºC) from date of shipment for supported film

Shop Life at 90 Degree Fahrenheit (ºF) (32 Degree Celsius (ºC))

N/A 10 days

Shop Life at 75 Degree Fahrenheit (ºF) (24 Degree Celsius (ºC))

N/A 30 days

Maximum Volatiles at 250 Degree Fahrenheit (ºF) (121 Degree Celsius (ºC))

N/A 1.0 %

Test Method for Volatiles

N/A American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D 3530)

Outgassing Properties (Total Weight Loss (TML))

N/A 0.92 %

Outgassing Properties (Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (CVCM))

N/A 0.07 %

Outgassing Properties (Water Vapor Regained (WVR))

N/A 0.63 %

Test Method for Outgassing Properties (After Complete Cure)

N/A American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM E 595)

Note for Outgassing Properties

N/A Property Reported for FM® 300K

Characteristics for Product Availability

Nominal Weight

N/A 0.08 psf0.10 psf391 g/m²488 g/m²

Note for Nominal Weight

N/A Weight Tolerance equals nominal weight ± 0.005 psf (± 25 g/m²)

Nominal Thickness for 0.08 Pound Per Square Foot (psf) Nominal Weight

N/A 0.013 in0.33 mm

Nominal Thickness for 0.10 Pound Per Square Foot (psf) Nominal Weight

N/A 0.015 in0.38 mm

Color

N/A Blue

Carrier

N/A Tight Knit

Characteristics

N/A Enhanced Bond Line Thickness Control. Good Blend of Structural and Handling Properties

Characteristics for Physical Properties (BR® 127 Corrosion Inhibiting Primer)

Shelf Life (BR® 127 Primer)

N/A 12 Months at or Below 0ºF (-18ºC) from Date of Shipment

Shop Life at 90 Degree Fahrenheit (ºF) (32 Degree Celsius (ºC)) (BR® 127 Primer)

N/A 10 days

Color (BR® 127 Primer)

N/A Yellow

Sprayable Solids Content (BR® 127 Primer)

N/A 10 %

Tolerance for Sprayable Solids Content (±) (BR® 127 Primer)

N/A 1 %

Density

N/A 7.3 lb/gal875 g/L

Recommended Dry Primer Thickness

N/A 0.10 to 0.30 mil0.0025 to 0.0076 mm

Recommended Cure

N/A Airy dry 30 minutes in ambient conditions Cure 30 Minutes at 250ºF (121ºC)

Solvay's Processing Materials

Sealant Tape

N/A SM 5127 SM5126 SM5142BY

Release Film

N/A A5000 A6200

Release Fabric

N/A 200 TFNP 200 TFP

Breather/Bleeder Fabric

N/A A3000-4 RC3000-10

Peel Ply

N/A 51789 60001 60002

Bagging Film

N/A HS 8171 SV3000

Adhesive Tape

N/A Flashtape 1 Flashtape 2

Recommended Processing Cure Cycle

Recommended Processing Cure Cycle

N/A Autoclave Cure Cycle

Apply full vacuum, 24 in Hg (0.081 MPa) minimum.
Apply 40 psi (0.28 MPa) pressure, vent vacuum at 20 psi (0.14 MPa).
Heat from 75ºF (24ºC) to 350ºF (177ºC) at 2ºF - 5ºF (1ºC - 3ºC)/minute.
Hold at 350ºF (177ºC) for 60 minutes.
Cool under pressure below 140ºF (60ºC) at 2ºF - 5ºF (1ºC - 3ºC)/minute.

FM® 300 film adhesive may also be bonded at pressures ranging from 15 psi - 100 psi (0.10 MPa - 0.69 MPa) depending upon the application. For press, pressure diaphragm or vacuum bag curing use the following cure cycle:

Alternative Cure Cycle

Heat from 75ºF (24ºC) to 350ºF (177ºC) in 60 minutes.
Hold at 350ºF (177ºC) for 60 minutes.

Surface Preparation

Aluminum Skins

N/A A clean, dry, grease-free surface is required for bonding. FM® 300 can be used with standard cleaning techniques involving a four step procedure of solvent degreasing, alkaline cleaning, chemical deoxidizing (etching), and phosphoric acid anodizing (Boeing patent 4,085,012. April 1978. Phosphoric acid anodizing is now being used by a large number of aircraft manufacturers due to the improved surface bond durability it provides.). General guidance for etching and phosphoric acid anodizing can be found in ASTM 2651 and ASTM 3433, respectively. Best results for aluminum feature priming after appropriate surface preparation, with BR® 6747-1, BR® 6747-1 NC or BR® 127 primer.

Primer Application

N/A Although not mandatory, BR® 127 corrosion inhibiting primer is recommended for use with FM® 300 adhesive in the bonding of aluminum details. BR® 127 primer offers superior durability and resistance to hostile environments within the bond line and also may be used as a protective coating outside the bonded areas. Apply BR® 127 as follows:
  1. Allow BR® 127 material to warm to room temperature, 75ºF (24ºC), prior to opening container
  2. Thoroughly mix before application and agitate during application
  3. Spray or brush coat to a dry primer thickness of 0.0001 inch (0.0025 mm) nominal with a 0.0003 inch (0.0076 mm) maximum thickness
  4. Air dry 30 minutes minimum prior to using
  5. Oven dry 30 minutes at 250°F ± 10°F (121°C ± 6°C)

Lay-Up Procedure

Lay-Up Procedure

N/A
  1. When FM® 300 is removed from refrigerator storage, the adhesive must be allowed to reach room temperature [75ºF (24ºC)] before the roll is unpackaged. Note that the adhesive film is sandwiched between release paper and polyliner.
  2. Remove either of the interliners and place the adhesive against the surface to be bonded. Care should be taken to prevent air entrapment between the film adhesive and substrate, especially in large area bonds.
  3. If additional tack is desired, the adhesive may be heated to as high as 140°F (60°C) for up to 30 minutes without altering the adhesive properties. Before heat tacking, ensure the film is properly positioned, otherwise removal will be difficult.
  4. Complete the assembly after removing the other interliner.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

N/A Please refer to the product SDS for safe handling, personal protective equipment recommendations and disposal considerations.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

N/A The data and information provided in this document have been obtained from carefully controlled samples and are considered to be representative of the product described. Solvay does not express or imply any guarantee or warranty of any kind including, but not limited to, the accuracy, the completeness or the relevance of the data and information set out herein. Because the properties of this product can be significantly affected by the fabrication and testing techniques employed, and since Solvay does not control the conditions under which its products are tested and used, Solvay cannot guarantee the properties provided will be obtained with other processes and equipment. No guarantee or warranty is provided if the product is adapted for a specific use or purpose. Solvay declines any liability with respect to the use made by any third party of the data and information contained herein. Solvay has the right to change any data or information when deemed appropriate. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018, Solvay. All rights reserved.

Features and Benefits

Features and Benefits

N/A
  • Superior metal-to-metal peel strength, composite-to-composite bonding and composite-to-metal joints
  • Extensively used as surfacing ply for composite materials
  • Service temperature from -67ºF to 300ºF (-55ºC to 149ºC)
  • Excellent moisture and corrosion resistance in high humidity environments with no significant reduction in mechanical properties
  • Allows x-ray inspection of assemblies due to natural opacity of adhesive formulations
  • Available in a wide range of film thicknesses tailored to specific applications
  • Industry wide acceptance
  • Compatible for co-cure or simultaneous autoclave with product FM® 61, FM® 96, and BR® 127

Additional Information

Additional Information

N/A It is particularly good in fatigue resistance in these joints. In properly designed and processed joints, the tight- knit tricot carrier provides a degree of electrical isolation between metal and graphite composites to reduce galvanic corrosion.

Typical applications for FM® 300 include metal-to-metal bonding, composite-to-composite bonding, composite-to-metal bonding, and composite surfacing.