Adcote 503AC August 2005 Page 1 of 5 

ADCOTETM 503AC 

Laminating Adhesive

Description and Features

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

resistance.

Typical Properties*

Solids 40% 

Viscosity 480 cps at 25°C (Brookfield)

Weight/Gallon 7.8 

Solvent Acetone 

Coreactant Coreactant F** 

Mix Ratio 100 pbw Adcote 503AC, 4.77 pbw Coreactant F

100 pbw Adcote 503AC, 3.8 pbw Coreactant 9L10

Diluents Acetone***, MEK, Toluene, Urethane Grade Ethyl Acetate 

Shelf Life 360 days

*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.

***Any Acetone used for dilution should be at or above 45°F; otherwise, precipitation may occur in the

Adcote 503AC.

Typical Uses

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

condiment packaging, liquid packaging, and film to foil laminations.

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. 

Adcote 503AC August 2005 Page 1 of 5

PACKAGING AND

CONVERTING

ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS 
Alcohols and similar materials containing active hydrogen can react with Adcote 503AC adhesive causing 

inadequate cure. 

Adcote 503AC 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.

Recommended Operating Conditions

Application Temperature Material should not be stored under 45°F, and should not be allowed to undergo a

freeze thaw cycle. Such conditions will cause precipitation. 

Application Method Direct gravure

Application Cylinder 95–130 line 

Application Solids 18–28% 

Dry Adhesive Weight 1.2–2.0 lbs/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 or Acetone 

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

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 60123

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

Adcote 503AC August 2005 Page 2 of 5 
Name: ADCOTE(TM) 503AC 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date

Limitations 

21CFR175.105 Y 08/26/2005

21CFR177.1390 L 08/26/2005 ▪ SOLVENT MUST BE COMPLETELY EVAPORATED 

DURING DRYING AND CURING. 

▪ 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)(a and b)

21CFR177.1395 L 08/26/2005 ▪ In accordance with the limitations as described under 

21CFR177.1390 above. 

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

21CFR177.1395 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. 

Adcote 503AC August 2005 Page 3 of 5 
Rohm and Haas Food and Drug Opinion 

Product Name: Coreactant F

Regulation Number Complies Limitations Opinion Date 

21CFR175.105 L 1 May 12, 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 

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/foodcontact status of this product will remain unchanged 

indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically 

verify its status. 

Adcote 503AC August 2005 Page 4 of 5 
Rohm and Haas Food and Drug Opinion 

Product Name: COREACTANT 9L10 

Regulation Number Complies Limitations Opinion Date

21CFR175.105 L 1 May 12, 2000

21CFR177.1390 A 1, 2, 3 Mar 06, 2002

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

21CFR177.1395 L 1, 2, 3 Jan 03, 2003

Legend: 

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies 

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

Limitations: 

1 SOLVENT MUST BE COMPLETELY EVAPORATED DURING 

DRYING AND CURING. 

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

THE CURED ADHESIVE. 

3 A = AFFIRMED AS COMPLIANT BASED UPON MIGRATION 

STUDIES. 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. 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 

(Types I, II, IVB, VIB, and VIIB, as defined in 21 CFR 176.170(c) 

Table 1) in compliance with the United States Federal Food, Drug, 

and Cosmetic Act. 

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 

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 503AC August 2005 Page 5 of 5