Bonding chemistry · UV ADHESIVE
UV-cure adhesives, Krystal 1000 to 5000
A UV-cure adhesive is a single-part adhesive that stays liquid until exposed to suitable light, then cures on demand in seconds. It needs light to reach the bond line, so at least one substrate is usually light-transmissive, and it forms water-clear bonds, which makes it common for glass and clear-plastic assemblies.
Choose a MightyLoc Krystal grade by the joint (viscosity at 25 °C): Krystal 3000 (5 to 15 cps) wicks into tight joints, Krystal 1000 (650 to 1050 cps) bonds plastics such as ABS, PC and acrylic, Krystal 2000 (5000 to 7000 cps) is least likely to run on vertical joints, Krystal 4000 suits glass face-to-face and T-joints, and Krystal 5000 bonds glass to glass and glass to stainless steel.
Products
MightyLoc UV Adhesive products
Krystal 1000
UV Adhesive
Krystal 2000
UV Adhesive
Krystal 3000
UV Adhesive
Krystal 4000
UV Adhesive
Krystal 5000
UV Adhesive
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View all productsSpecifications
| Product | Viscosity | Service temperature | Full cure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krystal 1000 | 650-1050 cps at 25°C | -40 to 100 °C | 10-15 s under 365 nm UV |
| Krystal 2000 | 5000-7000 cps at 25°C | -40 to 120 °C | 10-15 s under 365 nm UV |
| Krystal 3000 | 5-15 cps at 25°C | -40 to 100 °C | 10-15 s under 365 nm UV |
| Krystal 4000 | 45-65 cps (at 25°C, S14 100 rpm) | -40 to 100 °C | 10-15 s under 365 nm UV |
| Krystal 5000 | 80-130 cps (at 25°C, S14 100 rpm) | -40 to 100 °C |
Values as published on each product page. Full Technical Data Sheets are linked there.
FAQ · UV ADHESIVE
Questions about UV Adhesive.
Generally no. UV-cure adhesives cure only where suitable light reaches the bond line, so at least one substrate usually has to transmit light, such as glass or clear plastic. If both parts are opaque, choose a chemistry that does not need light. Confirm the requirement on the product Technical Data Sheet.
Under a suitable lamp the cure happens on demand in roughly 10 to 15 seconds. The adhesive stays liquid until you expose it, giving open working time for precise placement before a fast set. Actual cure time depends on the lamp, the grade, and the joint, so confirm against the Technical Data Sheet.
Any area the light cannot reach, behind an opaque rim or in a deep section, will not cure. Design the joint so the lamp can reach the whole bond line, or choose a chemistry that cures without light, such as a two-part methacrylate or a cyanoacrylate.
Yes, UV-cure bonds are water-clear, which is why they suit visible glass and clear-plastic joints. For glass, refractive index can affect appearance; Krystal 2000 is listed at about 1.48. Confirm clarity and the refractive index for the grade on its Technical Data Sheet.
How do UV-cure adhesives work?
A UV-cure adhesive cures only where suitable light reaches it, so the cure happens on demand the moment you switch on the lamp, in roughly 10 to 15 seconds under suitable light. Because light has to reach the bond line, at least one of the two substrates usually has to transmit light, such as glass or a clear plastic. Any area in shadow stays uncured. Confirm cure light and exposure for the grade on its Technical Data Sheet.
Where are UV-cure adhesives used?
UV-cure adhesives suit glass bonding, display and craft assembly, and any visible joint where appearance matters, because the cured bond is water-clear and you control exactly when it sets. The on-demand cure gives open working time for precise placement, then a fast set for throughput. Where both parts are opaque or the bond line is fully enclosed, a chemistry that does not need light is the better fit.
The five Krystal UV adhesives, compared
All five cure on UV exposure rather than by mixing or by time, so the choice between them is made on viscosity and service range, not on speed. Viscosity is the practical selector: a 5 cps grade wicks into a joint that is already assembled, while a 5000 cps grade stays where it is placed on a vertical face. Every figure is from the product’s own published Technical Data Sheet.
| Product | Appearance | Viscosity at 25°C | Service temperature | Shear strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krystal 1000 | Pale yellow liquid | 650-1050 cps | -40°C to 100°C | Not published |
| Krystal 2000 | Clear liquid | 5000-7000 cps | -40°C to 120°C | Not published |
| Krystal 3000 | Colourless | 5-15 cps | -40°C to 100°C | Not published |
| Krystal 4000 | Colourless | 45-65 cps | -40°C to 100°C | Not published |
| Krystal 5000 | Colourless | 80-130 cps | -40°C to 100°C | 131 kg/cm2 |
Krystal 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 reach full cure in 10 to 15 seconds under 365 nm UV; Krystal 5000 does not publish a cure time. Shelf life is one year for all five, supplied in anti-UV bottles because the adhesive cures on light exposure. Krystal 2000 is the only grade published above 100°C. Shear strength is published for Krystal 5000 only: request the Technical Data Sheet for the other four rather than assuming they match.
How do you choose a UV-cure grade?
The MightyLoc UV-cure range is Krystal 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000. Clarity and refractive index can matter when bonding glass for appearance; Krystal 2000 has a refractive index of about 1.48. Shelf life is about one year, and product should be shielded from stray light in storage. Treat differences between grades as a matter for each grade's Technical Data Sheet, and confirm cure light and clarity there.
When a UV-cure adhesive is the wrong choice
A Krystal grade cures only where suitable light reaches it, so choose another chemistry in these two cases.
- Neither part transmits the curing light: both are opaque, or a clear part blocks UV (UV-stabilised polycarbonate, laminated glass). Use a chemistry that cures without light, such as a two-part methacrylate or a cyanoacrylate.
- The bond line is fully enclosed, so the lamp cannot reach it.
Krystal pack sizes, storage and data sheets
All five Krystal grades come in anti-UV bottles, which keep stray light from starting a cure. Store unopened bottles at 15 to 25 °C, away from direct light.
| Grade | Pack sizes | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Krystal 1000 | 50 mL and 1 L | Krystal 1000 TDS |
| Krystal 2000 | 50 mL and 1 L | Krystal 2000 TDS |
| Krystal 3000 | 50 mL and 1 L | Krystal 3000 TDS |
| Krystal 4000 | 50 mL and 1 L | Krystal 4000 TDS |
| Krystal 5000 | 50 g and 1 kg | Krystal 5000 TDS |
Krystal 5000 is packed by weight, the other four by volume.