Key takeaways
- Volume: More than one million two-component cartridges packaged each year at the Breuil-le-Sec facility.
- Sizes: 50, 200, and 400 ml; ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:10.
- Mixing ratio: Maintaining the correct ratio of resin to hardener is critical for proper curing and final performance.
- Products covered: epoxy and polyurethane structural adhesives, methacrylates, engineering silicones, and chemical-curing sealants.
Each year, more than 1 million two-component cartridges are filled by Etraves. For each product, we apply a specific filling technique. A very liquid product will not be treated in the same way as a more viscous product, for example. A product, depending on whether it is sensitive to light or humidity, will also be treated differently. Our factories, our machines and the expertise of our teams allow us to be very adaptable.
We have been refilling two-component cartridges on a daily basis for more than three decades. Yes, we have been using two-component cartridges to fulfill our packaging mission for over 30 years. Our cartridges come in various sizes: 50 ml, 200 ml, and 400 ml. Their mixing ratios are 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:10. This versatility allows us to work efficiently, regardless of the packaging requirements. The packaging of two-component cartridges takes place primarily at our dedicated facility in Breuil-le-Sec.
Precise measurement is essential for a successful mixture
The two-component cartridge contains two separate chambers: the resin on one side, the hardener on the other. The key to the filling process is to strictly adhere to the ratio between the two components—1:1, 1:2, 1:4, or 1:10, depending on the product—because any deviation in the dosage compromises polymerization and, consequently, the final performance of the adhesive or sealant. Our filling lines ensure dosing accurate to the gram, without trapping air bubbles, and under a controlled atmosphere for moisture-sensitive products.
Which products should be packaged in two-component cartridges?
The two-component format is the standard for all products that cure rapidly after mixing: structural epoxy and polyurethane adhesives, methacrylates, engineering silicones, chemical curing sealants, and repair resins. These products are used in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and wind energy industries. To learn more about this topic, see our article on packaging adhesives in two-component cartridges.
Finally, to ensure the best possible application, please note that Etraves can provide you, if needed, with all the accessories required for proper use, such as static mixers and application guns. You can find our available models in our product catalog on our website. There, you’ll also see the range of two-component cartridges offered by Etraves. Our selection is quite extensive, including guns, syringes, mixing nozzles, and other products related to two-component cartridges.
FAQ — Two-component cartridges
What do the ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:10 on a two-component cartridge mean?
The ratio indicates the proportion of resin to hardener contained in the two chambers of the cartridge. A 1:1 ratio corresponds to equal volumes, while a 1:10 ratio corresponds to ten times as much resin as hardener. It is determined by the product’s formulation and dictates the choice of the push piston and mixing nozzle.
Why is the mixing ratio so critical for a two-component cartridge?
Because a deviation in the dosage compromises polymerization and, consequently, the final strength of the bond. Filling is done to the nearest gram, without trapping air bubbles, and under a controlled atmosphere for moisture-sensitive products.
Which products are packaged in two-component cartridges?
Any materials that cure rapidly after mixing: epoxy and polyurethane structural adhesives, methacrylates, engineering silicones, chemical-curing sealants, and repair resins. They are used in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and wind power industries.
What sizes of two-component cartridges are available?
Etraves packages cartridges in 50-, 200-, and 400-ml sizes, in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:10. More than one million two-component cartridges are produced each year at the Breuil-le-Sec facility, which is dedicated to this activity.
