EP29LPSP: Applications in Plasma Physics, Astronomy, and Highway Engineering

Since its introduction in 1978, Master Bond EP29LPSP has been the epoxy compound of choice in a variety of challenging applications. Ideal for demanding cryogenic environments, two-part EP29LPSP can withstand temperatures as low as 4K and can resist cryogenic shock when, for instance, it is cooled from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures within a 5-10 minute window. Optically clear EP29LPSP has superior physical strength, electrical insulation, and chemical resistance properties. It also meets NASA low outgassing requirements and exhibits a low exotherm during cure. This low viscosity compound is easy to apply and bonds well to metals, glass, ceramics, and many different plastics. Curable at room temperature, EP29LPSP attains its best results when cured at 130-165F for 6-8 hours.

In over a dozen published research articles, patents, and manufacturers' specifications, scientists and engineers have identified EP29LPSP for use in their applications due to its unparalleled performance in one or more areas. Table 1 highlights several commercial and research applications that use Master Bond EP29LPSP. Table 2 summarizes several patents that reference EP29LPSP. Following each table are brief descriptions of the role Master Bond EP29LPSP plays in each application or invention.

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Table 1: Commercial and Research Uses of EP29LPSP

Industry	Application	EP29LPSP Use	Critical Properties
Plasma Physics	Experimental device to study magnetic reconnection events1	Fabrication of flux core assemblies	Cryogenic Low outgassing
Astronomy	Infrared telescope system2	Optical fiber mounting assembly	Cryogenic Low outgassing Long cure time Low shrinkage
Aeronautics	Testing of a miniature ramjet model in a supersonic wind tunnel4	Bonding strain gauges to flexure beams	Sufficient flexibility at cryogenic temperatures
Particle Physics	Argon detector5	Coat metal rim to electrically insulate it	Cryogenic Low outgassing Electrical insulation
Particle Physics	Radioactive decay detector6	Bond flexible cable to flange	Low outgassing
Neuroscience	Neurophysiological mechanism of magnetic stimulus in primates11	Mechanism to impregnate mini coil during winding process	Low viscosity impregnation
Spacecraft	Attach MLI blanket to spacecraft to survive acceleration, acoustic nd venting loads while minimizing heat load to tank12	Configuration of a standoff with an MLI blanket	High tensile and shear strength at cryogenic temperatures

Table 2: Patent Grants that Reference EP29LPSP

Application	EP29LPSP Use	Critical Properties
Cryogenic refrigerator7	Bond thermally insulated tubes to thermal tube couplers	Cryogenic Low outgassing Thermal shock resistant
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell8	Rigidizing a fluid flow plate assembly	Electrical insulation Physical strength
Structural health monitoring (SHM) system9	Affix transducers to structure under test	Cryogenic Withstand vibrations
Fiber optic gyroscopes10	Construction of fiber optic sensing coil	Cryogenic Low outgassing

Conclusion

The success of any engineered product depends on the performance of all of its parts, including any chemical compound used to join or protect one or more parts. If an adhesive, coating, or potting compound fails, the product fails. Leading companies, research labs, and inventors around the world rely on Master Bond EP29LPSP to perform unfailingly in extremely demanding applications.

Sources

¹Manufacturing Specification and Statement of Work: FLARE (Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiments) Project -Fabrication of Flux Core, FLARE-Spec-03-Rev.00, WP1995, Revision 0, Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory, 19 Mar. 2015. flare.pppl.gov/Construction/FLARE%20FCSpec-03%2019Mar15.pdf.

²Lee, David, et al. Properties of optical fibres at cryogenic temperatures. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. 326, no. 2, 11 Sept. 2001, pp. 774-780. ResearchGate, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04630.x. Accessed 2 Aug. 2017.

⁴Chen, Bingqiang. Numerical Performance Prediction of a Miniature Ramjet at Mach 4, MS thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, 2012.

⁵ Xu, Jingke. Study of Argon from Underground Sources for Direct Dark Matter Detection. Dissertation, Princeton University, 2013.

⁶ Hsu, Scott C. Experimental Study of Ion Heating and Acceleration During Magnetic Reconnection. N.P. June 2000. July 2016. http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/750977

⁷Snow, David, et al. "Apparatus and methods for improving vibration isolation, thermal dampening, and optical access in cryogenic refrigerators." US Patent 8,756,941. 24 Jun. 2014.

⁸Walsh, Michael M. "Fuel cell assembly fluid flow plate having conductive fibers and rigidizing material therein." US Patent 6,096,450. 1 August 2000.

⁹ Qing, Xinlin, et al. "Method and apparatus for conducting structural health monitoring in a cryogenic, high vibration environment." US Patent 8,347,722. 8 January 2013.

¹⁰ Chappell, Charles D. and Kara L. Warrensford. "Systems and methods for controlling the gas conversion in a fiber-optic gyroscope." US Patent 9,182,230. 10 November 2015.

¹¹ Tischler, Hadass. Wolfus, Shuki. Friedman. Alexander. Perel, Eli. Pashut, Tamar. Lavidor, Michal. Alon Korngreen, Alon. Yeshurun, Yosef. Bar-Gad, Izhar. "Mini-coil for magnetic stimulation in the behaving primate." Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. June 12, 2010. Revised September 28, 2010.

¹² Alberts, S.J., Doehne, C.J., and Johnson, W.L. "Testing Tensile and Shear Epoxy Strength at Cryogenic Temperatures." https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20170009145.pdf. Accessed May 2020.