In the world of medical device assembly, precision and reliability are everything. Light curing adhesives deliver unmatched speed, accuracy, and compliance with USP Class VI and ISO 10993 standards — but one challenge that occasionally arises is surface inhibition.

This phenomenon occurs when the outer layer of an adhesive fails to fully cure, typically due to oxygen interference at the adhesive–air interface. It’s most noticeable when large surface areas are exposed during the curing process and can lead to tacky or uncured surfaces that compromise both appearance and performance.

Common causes:

• Oxygen inhibition during radical polymerisation

• Large exposed bonding areas

• Suboptimal curing wavelength (e.g., 405 nm LEDs)

Solutions that work:
✅ Optimised adhesive selection — epoxy-based UV adhesives resist oxygen inhibition.
✅ Optimised curing setup — 365 nm LEDs or broad-spectrum mercury lamps improve surface cure.
✅ Inert gas shielding — curing under nitrogen displaces oxygen for a complete surface cure.

ECT Adhesives supplies a full range of Panacol UV and visible light curing adhesives engineered for medical-grade performance.

If you’re experiencing surface inhibition or want to refine your curing setup, our technical team can help you achieve flawless, reliable bonds.

👉 Contact us today to discuss your application.