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FM® 73 film adhesive is a toughened, general purpose aerospace epoxy designed to provide excellent structural performance from -67ºF to 180ºF (-55C to 82°C). FM® 73 film adhesive is formulated to provide outstanding durability in bonding metals and is also suitable for bonding many structural composite systems.

Extensive testing has proven that FM® 73 meets stringent environmental resistance and bonding durability requirements. To achieve maximum environmental resistance and bonding durability the use of BR® 127 corrosion inhibiting primer is recommended in bonding metallic components.

Applications for FM® 73 include metal-to-metal bonding, composite-to-composite bonding, and composite-to-metal bonding.
Unit of Measure

Characteristics for Physical Properties

Shelf Life

 N/A 6 months at or below 40ºF (4.4ºC) from date of shipment for unsupported film 12 months at or below 0ºF (-18ºC) from date of shipment for supported film

Shop Life at 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 1.25 %

Test Method for Volatile

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

Outgassing Properties (Total Mass Loss (TML))

 N/A 0.78 %

Outgassing Properties (Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (CVCM))

 N/A 0.06 %

Outgassing Properties (Water Vapor Regained (WVR))

 N/A 0.18 %

Test Method for Outgassing Properties (After Complete Cure)

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

Characteristics for Product Availability

Nominal Weight

 N/A 0.045 psf0.060 psf0.085 psf210 g/m²300 g/m²420 g/m²

Nominal Thickness for 0.045 Pound Per Square Foot (psf) Nominal Weight

 N/A 0.007 in0.18 mm

Nominal Thickness for 0.060 Pound Per Square Foot (psf) Nominal Weight

 N/A 0.010 in0.25 mm

Nominal Thickness for 0.085 Pound Per Square Foot (psf) Nominal Weight

 N/A 0.015 in0.38 mm

Color

 N/A Yellow

Carrier

 N/A Polyester knit, both sides tacky

Characteristics for Product Description (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 Primer Thickness

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

Recommended Cure

 N/A Air dry 30 min in ambient conditions Cure 30 minutes at 250ºF ± 10ºF (121°C ± 5.5°C)

Characteristics

Characteristics

 N/A FM® 73 is manufactured as a supported film with either knit or mat carrier, or as an unsupported film. FM® 73 supported with a knit carrier offers optimum mechanical performance while the random mat version, FM® 73 M film adhesive, provides superior handling characteristics. FM® 73 M can be supplied in a one-side tacky (OST) version which allows bonding of large metal parts without concerns of trapping air during lay-up. In addition, FM® 73M OST film adhesive can be manufactured in widths up to 72 inches (183 cm) to accommodate large part fabrication, per request.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

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

Surface Preparation

Aluminum Core

 N/A No cleaning is necessary unless the core has been contaminated by foreign matter, in which case degrease with MEK or vapor degrease.

Aluminum Skins

 N/A A clean, dry, grease-free surface is required for bonding. FM® 73 is used with standard cleaning techniques involving a four step procedure of solvent degreasing, alkaline cleaning, chemical deoxidizing (etching), and phosphoric acid anodizing*. 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.

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.

Primer Application

 N/A Although not mandatory, BR® 127 corrosion inhibiting primer is recommended for use with FM® 73 film adhesive in 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 (24°C)] prior to opening container.
  2. Thoroughly mix before application and agitate during application.
  3. Spray a dry primer thickness of 0.0001 to 0.0003 inches (0.0025 to 0.0076 mm) for optimum mechanical properties.
  4. For protective coating applications, increase primer thickness to 0.0004 to 0.0010 inches (0.0102 to 0.025 mm).
  5. Air dry 30 minutes minimum prior to placing in an oven.
  6. Oven cure 30 minutes at 250 ± 10ºF (120 ± 5.5°C).

Lay-Up Procedure

Lay-Up Procedure

 N/A
  1. When FM® 73 is removed from refrigerator storage, the adhesive must be allowed to reach room temperature before the roll is unpackaged. Note that the film adhesive 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 140ºF (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.

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. ©2017, Solvay. All rights reserved.

Features and Benefits

Features and Benefits

 N/A
  • Demonstrates excellent peel strength and structural performance from -67ºF to 180ºF(-55°C to 82°C).
  • Resistant to pre-bond humidity exposure
  • Good moisture and corrosion resistance in high humidity
  • Shop life of 30 days at 75ºF (24°C)
  • Recommended for use with BR® 127, FM®410-1, FM® 490A, CYCOM® 919, and CYCOM®950