A worker in a washing machine production hall. She stands in front of a row of white washing machines and operates a control panel on one of the machines, this is the final assembly stage. The woman is wearing a dark blue sweater and protective gloves. In the background, additional production equipment and the industrial hall can be seen.

DELO News

Press Release | May 17, 2019

Sealing Crimped Contacts Avoids Corrosion

Miele, a family-owned and operated manufacturer of high-end household appliances, uses a dual-curing adhesive to seal tiny electrical contacts of its Mrt washing machine motors. This so-called crimp contact sealing prevents the ingress of humidity and protects the contacts from corrosion. Miele performs complex humidity and salt spray tests to ensure that the adhesive delivers its promised properties.

Miele, a family-owned and operated manufacturer of high-end household appliances, uses a dual-curing adhesive to seal tiny electrical contacts of its Mrt washing machine motors. This so-called crimp contact sealing prevents the ingress of humidity and protects the contacts from corrosion. Miele performs complex humidity and salt spray tests to ensure that the adhesive delivers its promised properties.

The Miele Group, based in Gütersloh, Germany, is one of the world’s most renowned appliances manufacturers. According to the company, as of 2022, they employ a workforce of 23,300 employees and achieved revenues of nearly €5.43 billion.

For many years, Miele has been focusing on the manufacture of kitchen and laundry appliances, vacuum cleaners, and equipment for use in commercial and medical facilities (Miele Professional). Miele’s products, in particular its washing machines, are well known for their durability. The company tests its appliances for a service life of 20 years, making it clear that any products installed or used in these appliances meet extremely high requirements.

Machines need to withstand humidity

The purpose of sealing crimp contacts is to prevent contact corrosion of the aluminum-copper contacts. This is extremely important when it comes to washing machines that are being used where high air humidity is present, like in areas near the coast or on ships.

Crimp connections are mainly used in large-scale production, where single wires need to be assembled. Crimping is a fast method and a good alternative to soldering. It can help to create a connection to a conductor and connecting element that is barely detachable. With the help of tools, the cable and plug wires can be connected in a form-closed manner.

Protecting contacts permanently with adhesives

In the case of Miele’s Mrt washing machine motor, sealing the crimp contacts is done using the one-component acrylate DELO DUALBOND AD4950. This adhesive offers high elongation at tear, and is tension-equalizing, which is important for this type of application. With good aging resistance, it demonstrates long-term stability.

When validating the adhesive, Miele ran different tests to ensure that both the sealing and corrosion protection were high-quality. Simulating the lifetime of the adhesive bond, the components were sprayed with salt solution and exposed to different temperatures and humidity conditions for a given period of time.

When cured, the product can be used at temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +120 °C. It also offers a dual-curing mechanism based on light and humidity. This means that after short exposure to LED irradiation, no additional process step is needed for final curing of the adhesive in shadowed areas. There, the ambient air humidity is sufficient for curing.

This curing system is, for example, used for applications where the adhesive is transported by capillary forces into small, shadowed areas and ensures that the liquid adhesive is fully cured in the final product.

A stator package for a washing machine motor is shown from above. It consists of a white plastic frame with two opposing copper coils. In the center is a gray, semi-circular metal core. Four crimp contacts at the corners of the frame are marked with red letters A, B, C, and D. The copper windings of the coils are clearly visible.

Stator package for the washing machine motor; crimp contacts marked with letters (image: Miele).

Conclusion

In its assembly line, Miele uses a screw dispenser for fully automatic dispensing of the adhesive. Every step of the process is monitored by a camera system. This allows for control of the dispensing operation and detection of any bubble formations. In the subsequent curing step, the adhesive is shortly exposed to high-intensity light from an LED spot lamp. This lamp is ideal when it comes to curing of very small adhesive drops or bonding areas within seconds.

Miele has successfully used this adhesive since 2013.

Would you also like to use our innovative adhesive solutions for your production? Contact our adhesive experts and discover the right solutions for your manufacturing.

About DELO

DELO is a leading provider of high-tech adhesives. For over 25 years, we have offered solutions for the automotive, electronics, and semiconductor industries. Our innovative technologies set industry standards. Companies like Bosch, Huawei, and Siemens rely on DELO for superior adhesive technologies.

Contact us

We are your touchpoint for high-tech bonding. Our specialist worldwide are keen to support you. Get in touch with us now!

By submitting your request, you give your consent to have the personal data you entered processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

* Mandatory field

Subscribe to newsletter

Receive regular updates on new products, developments, white papers, academy offers and events.

Salutation: