Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 1 of 6 

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ADCOTETM 503E 

Laminating Adhesive 

Description 

Adcote 503E adhesive is the polyester component of a two component laminating adhesive which requires 

the use of an isocyanate coreactant. This polyester, in conjunction with various isocyanate terminated 

coreactants, functions as an adhesive for flexible packaging and industrial laminations. 

Adcote 503E adhesive adheres to a wide variety of substrates including cellophane, treated polyolefins, 

polyester, polyamide, aluminum foil, metallized and PVDC coated materials, and the treated heat sealable 

layers of co-extrusions. 

Adcote 503E adhesive provides optical clarity, high bond strength, and a high level of heat and chemical 

resistance. 

Typical Properties*

Solids 40% 

Viscosity 1100 cps at 25°C 

Weight/Gallon 8.45 

Solvent Ethyl Acetate 

Co-reactant Coreactant F** 

Mix Ratio 100 pbw Adcote 503E, 5 pbw Coreactant F 

 100 pbw Adcote 503E, 4 pbw Coreactant 9L10 

 100 pbw Adcote 503E, 4 pbw Coreactant CT 

Diluents Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Toluene, Urethane Grade Ethyl Acetate, or 

 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 

Shelf Life 360 days (unopened containers) 

*These items are provided for general information only. They are approximate values and are not 

considered part of a product specification. 

**Other coreactants are available for special uses. Consult your Rohm and Haas sales representative for 

further information. 

Typical Uses

The principal uses for Adcote 503E adhesive with co-reactant are in meat and cheese packaging, condiment 

packaging, liquid packaging, and film to foil laminations. 

 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 1 of 6 

PACKAGING AND 

CONVERTING 
Recommended Operating Conditions

Application Method Direct Gravure 

Application Cylinder 95 - 130 line 

Application Solids 18 - 28% 

Dry Adhesive Weight 1.2 - 2.0 lb/ream 

Drying Web Temperature 150 – 180°F 

Lamination Temperature 170 - 220°F 

Cure Time* 7-10 days at 70°F 

Slitting/Rewinding Time 24 - 48 hours at 70°F 

Cleaning Solvent Methyl Ethyl Ketone 

*Recommend post curing at 120-130°F for 3-5 days. 

High molecular weight polyesters that are used in solution adhesives like Adcote 503E have tendency to 

form a reversible structure in solution with time. This structuring is accelerated when the adhesive is 

exposed to temperatures below 50°F. The structuring is reversible if heat and shear is applied to the 

adhesive. We recommend placing the container of adhesive in a steam cabinet, allowing venting of the 

container and heating to 110-140°F. After the adhesive reaches the proper temperature, mix the 

adhesive in the container for 1-3 hours under moderate shear. Use of a disperser or “Cowles” type blade 

will shorten the time needed. 

Caution must be taken because of the flammability of the solvents used in the adhesive. Please 

review MSDS for hazards associated with the adhesive. 

Attempting to re-disperse without heat may reduce the apparent viscosity, but not result in a 

homogeneous mix. Before using the adhesive, check, to make sure that all resin has returned to a true 

solution and no gels remain. 

Safety, Handling and Storage 

 Store in cool, dry, well ventilated area. 

 Follow good manufacturing and handling practices. 

 Wash thoroughly after handling. Wash contaminated goggles, face shield, and gloves. 

Professionally launder contaminated clothing before re-use. 

 ATTENTION! Container can be hazardous when empty. Follow label warnings even after container 

is empty. Do not reuse empty container without professional cleaning. 

 Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet for more information. 

Alcohol and similar materials containing active hydrogen can react with Adcote 503E adhesive causing 

inadequate cure. 

Adcote 503E can react or interact with other components of laminations. Retained solvents, slip additives, 

antiblock agents, and contaminated solvents are some of the components that may cause property changes 

of the film and/or adhesive. 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 2 of 6 
Adcote 503E/Coreactant F 

#2 Zahn Cup @77F

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

10 15 20 25 30 35

% Solids

Diluent: Ethyl Acetate

Viscosity (in Seconds)

__________________________________________________________________ Adcote is a registered trademark of Rohm and Haas Company 

These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without 

guarantee, as conditions and method of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user 

determine the suitability of our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale. 

Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this 

publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license 

to use any patents of the Rohm and Haas Company. 

Visit us at http://www.rohmhaas.com/AdhesivesSealants

Rohm and Haas Company, Midwest Technical Center, 2531 Technology Drive, Suite 301, Elgin, IL 60124 

Phone: 847-649-3800 Fax: 847-649-3760 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 3 of 6 
Rohm and Haas Food and Drug Opinion

Product Name: ADCOTE(TM) 503E 

Regulation Number Complies Limitations Opinion Date

21CFR175.105 L 1 Aug 01, 2000

21CFR177.1390 L 1 Aug 01, 2000 

 Paragraph (c)(2)(v)(a and b) 

21CFR177.1395 L 1 Aug 01, 2000 

Legend:

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations as noted. 

Limitations:

1 SOLVENT MUST BE COMPLETELY EVAPORATED DURING DRYING 

AND CURING. 

Regulations:

 21CFR175.105 ADHESIVES 

 21CFR177.1390 LAMINATE STRUCTURES FOR USE AT TEMPERATURES OF 250F 

AND ABOVE 

 21CFR177.1395 LAMINATE STRUCTURES FOR USE AT TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 

120F AND 250F 

Name: COREACTANT (TM) F 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date Limitations 

21CFR175.105 Y 02/29/2008

Legend: 

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations noted

N No, this product is not cleared

Y Yes, this product is cleared.

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies.

Regulations: 

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

Disclaimer: 

 This information relates specifically to this product. We believe this information to be accurate and 

reliable as of this date. 

 We recommend that our customers make their own determination on the suitability of this product for 

their particular application. 

 We cannot guarantee that the indirect food additives/food-contact status of this product will remain 

unchanged indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically verify its status. 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 4 of 6 
Name: COREACTANT 9L10 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date Limitations 

21CFR175.105 Y 05/12/2004

21CFR177.1390 L 08/16/2005 ▪ SOLVENT MUST BE COMPLETELY EVAPORATED DURING 

DRYING AND CURING. 

▪ PROVIDED THAT IT IS NO MORE THAN 14% OF THE WEIGHT 

OF THE CURED ADHESIVE. 

▪ Compositional compliance with 21 CFR 177.1390 requires the use 

of another component that is listed in the same paragraph of 21 

CFR 177.1390. In other words, a component listed in (c)(2)(v) may 

NOT be used with a component listed in (c)(2)(vi), unless migration 

studies have affirmed the combination to be in compliance with the 

FDA regulations. This requirement for use of components in the 

same section of 21 CFR 177.1390 applies to the use of this material 

in compliance with 21 CFR 177.1395 as well. 

Paragraph (c)(2)(v)(c)

21CFR177.1390 A 02/08/2008 ▪ Adcote 76X159 and COREACTANT 9L10, used at a ratio of 100:8, 

at 2.9 lb/ream, and cured for 8 days at 120F and 3 days at room 

temperature, may be used as an adhesive layer in multilaminate 

food packaging materials with aqueous food types with a food 

contact layer of at least 3 mil cast polypropylene under all conditions 

of use in full compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic 

Act. 

21CFR177.1390 A 02/08/2008 ▪ The combination of Adcote 812 and COREACTANT 9L10, when 

used at a ratio of 100:7.3, at 2.74 pounds per ream (4.5 g per 

meter), and cured for five days at 115F (46C), may be used as an 

adhesive layer in multilaminate food packaging materials with 

aqueous and acidic food types provided that the adhesive layer is 

separated from food by a 2 mil (50 micron) polypropylene film (or 

equivalent or better barrier properties) in compliance with the 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

21CFR177.1390 A 02/08/2008 ▪ The combination of Adcote 812 and COREACTANT 9L10, used at 

a ratio of 100:8, at a maximum of 4 g/m2 (2.4 lb/ream), cured at 

49°C (120°F) for 10 days, and has as a food contact layer 75 micron 

(3 mil) of cast polypropylene, may be used with no limitations as to 

temperature or food-types in compliance with the United States 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The combination of Adcote 

812 and COREACTANT 9L10, used at a ratio of 100:8, at a 

maximum of 4 g/m2 (2.4 lb/ream), cured at 49°C (120°F) for 4 days, 

and has a 25 micron (1 mil) food contact layer, may be used at all 

temperatures with aqueous and acidic food types in compliance with 

the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

21CFR177.1390 A 02/08/2008 ▪ The combination of Adcote 842 and COREACTANT 9L10, when 

used in a ratio of 100:8.0 and cured for seven days at 115F (46C), 

may be used as an adhesive layer in multilaminate food packaging 

materials under high temperature, heat-sterilized (e.g., over 212F 

(100C)) and less severe conditions, with all food types provided that 

the adhesive layer is separated from food by a 3 mil (76 micron) 

polypropylene layer (or equivalent or better barrier properties) in 

compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

21CFR177.1395 L 08/16/2005 ▪ In accordance with the limitations as described under 

21CFR177.1390 above. 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 5 of 6 
Legend: 

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations noted

N No, this product is not cleared

Y Yes, this product is cleared.

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies.

Regulations: 

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

21CFR177.1390 Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250F and above

21CFR177.1390 Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250F and above

21CFR177.1390 Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250F and above

21CFR177.1390 Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250F and above

21CFR177.1390 Laminate structures for use at temperatures of 250F and above

21CFR177.1395 Laminate structures for use at temperatures between 120F and 250F

Disclaimer: 

 This information relates specifically to this product. We believe this information to be accurate and 

reliable as of this date. 

 We recommend that our customers make their own determination on the suitability of this product for 

their particular application. 

 We cannot guarantee that the indirect food additives/food-contact status of this product will remain 

unchanged indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically verify its status. 

Name: COREACTANT CT 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date Limitations 

21CFR175.105 Y 11/13/2006

Legend: 

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations noted

N No, this product is not cleared

Y Yes, this product is cleared.

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies.

Regulations: 

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

Disclaimer: 

 This information relates specifically to this product. We believe this information to be accurate and 

reliable as of this date. 

 We recommend that our customers make their own determination on the suitability of this product for 

their particular application. 

 We cannot guarantee that the indirect food additives/food-contact status of this product will remain 

unchanged indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically verify its status. 

Adcote 503E January 2011 Page 6 of 6