Warbird Information Exchange

Is there a commercial equivalent for MIL-A-5540 (ADHESIVE, POLYCHLOROPRENE)? I've not had much luck finding anything. I need less than a pint. Alternatively a source for MIL-A-5540B? Thanks, Chris

Have you tried here? http://www.glueit.com/index.php

Scott

_________________
Scott Dunkirk
AZGCLHU Inc.

http://arizonagroundcrew.org/

1940's Army Air Force ground crew living history
(A 501 C 3 organization)
(IYAMYAS)

"Yes sir, it's suppose to look like that"

Hi Scott,
I've written to/contacted about half a dozen different adhesives companies. None (thus far)were able to point me to a consumer-level vendor or give me a name of a commercial equivalent.

I'm looking to see if DAP Weldwood contact cement is a comparable product. It lists as "High solids polychloroprene, waterborne contact adhesive". Correct chemical although I have no idea if it's the same strength as the MIL adhesive.

What are you needing to glue? There could be a commercial equivalent that may have higher performance, but never been submitted for MIL approval. Or the MILspec may have been superceded or withdrawn without replacement. Either avenue could lead to using a suitable adhesive by showing equivalence. (I've run into both - one where a spec had been withdrawn 30 years prior, and one where a specific oil called out had been discontinued by the sole manufacturer)

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

I'm restoring my flight helmet and MIL-A-5540 is the specified adhesive for the edge roll and for securing the internal velcro to support the ear cups, etc. MIL-A-5540 evolved into MIL-A-5540B back in 1973 and has remained in continuous use ever since. My concern with a commercial subsitute is that it has the same properties -- i.e. flammability, heat tolerance, etc. I don't need my helmet falling apart in a fire or combusting when I need it the most!

Try this.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/311054.pdf

b29flteng: saw that site while looking at the adhesives. It's a two-part system like epoxy. This is a good example of my concerns. Despite the same name, the Farnell stuff is made for an entirely different application. The mil-spec stuff is like rubber cement but a little more liquid. Different base solvent than rubber cement but similar consistency. Basically you apply it with a brush. No mixing, etc.

I got to work and looked this up on the qualified products list for Mil-A-5540b.
I think the class 2 is what you want.

CLASS 2 BLACK FA-1030 - PLUS ACCELERATOR NAVAIRDEVCEN ltr 4123 Ser 6062/9040 dtd 5 Aug 1986 CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833
CLASS 2 BLACK FA-1030 - PLUS ACCELERATOR CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833
CLASS 2 NEUTRAL FA-1030 - PLUS ACCELERATOR NAVAIRDEVCEN ltr 4123 Ser 6062/9040 dtd 5 Aug 1986 CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833
CLASS 2 NEUTRAL FA-1030 - PLUS ACCELERATOR CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833
CLASS 2 NEUTRAL FA-1065 - ONE PART CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833
CLASS 2 NEUTRAL FA-1065 - ONE PART NAVAIRDEVCEN ltr 4123 Ser 6062/9040 dtd 5 Aug 1986 CLIFTON ADHESIVE INCORPORATED 79833

I was able to cross reference a descriptor in an old HGU-26 helmet manual against the MSDS for DAP Weldwood contact cement and the active ingredients and solvents are the same. MEK is the cleaner/remover of choice.

DAP also has a newer, water-based version which cleans/remove with mineral spirits instead of MEK.

The original DAP contact cement dries identical to MIL-A-5540 -- same tannish, transluscent residue after drying. Same flash-point, VOC properties, etc. If it's not exactly the same, it's extremely close.

Thanks for your replies. It helped me link to the answers I needed.

Chris

MEK is ALWAYS the cleaner of choice, no matter WHAT the clean up is.

Scott

_________________
Scott Dunkirk
AZGCLHU Inc.

http://arizonagroundcrew.org/

1940's Army Air Force ground crew living history
(A 501 C 3 organization)
(IYAMYAS)

"Yes sir, it's suppose to look like that"