Industrial Adhesives and Sealants
Adhesives are designed and created to bind two parts together to create a functional unit. When it comes to industrial adhesives, there are a large variety of kinds that are used to make structures, tools, equipment, and everyday items like books.
What types of industrial adhesives are there?
There are four main types of adhesives used in industrial settings:
- Cyanoacrylate: This bonding agent is known as "superglue." It is made of acrylic resin that hardens when the properties creating the adhesive are mixed. Cyanoacrylate is used to bond plastic, rubber, or wood together.
- Methacrylate: Used for metal construction or thermoplastics, this glue adhesive is used because it cures quickly and can be used at regular room temperatures. It also has a unique feature in that it dissolves contaminants on the surfaces it is applied to.
- Epoxy: This adhesive is used for industrial applications that include automotive manufacturing and construction. When heat is applied to the mixture, it permanently hardens. As such, it is also often used in aerospace engineering.
- Anaerobic adhesives: This industrial adhesive only bonds when there is an absence of oxygen. The items are placed into a vacuum where all of the oxygen is removed, allowing the two items to bond together.
What is the strongest of the industrial adhesives?
When it comes to naming the strongest industrial adhesive, there are two main contenders for different reasons:
- Cyanoacrylate: In general, cyanoacrylate, or superglue, is the strongest type of bonding agent, especially when compared to other industrial adhesives. They have a number of characteristics that give them their strength, including the resistance to most chemicals, mild heat, and water. However, they are not flexible, meaning they can become brittle and break when they are forced to bend.
- Two-part epoxies: Epoxies are strong, waterproof, and flexible when applied to many different types of materials. However, they have a low peel strength and will lose bonding strength if the surfaces are not properly prepared.
What considerations should you make when looking for adhesives?
When looking for industrial adhesives that meet your needs, you should consider:
- Materials to be bonded: Some adhesives work better for some applications over others. For example, if you are working with woods and plastics, cyanoacrylates may be appropriate. For metals, epoxies may be more appropriate.
- Waterproof: Some adhesives are able to withstand immersion in water while others cannot get wet. Depending on the application or the products you are producing, you may need adhesives that are water proof or water-resistant.
- Heat resistant: Depending on the materials you are bonding together or what the product you are manufacturing will be used for, you may need adhesives that can withstand heat and harsh environments.
- Curing method: Some adhesives can cure at room temperature while others require a specific amount of heat or an oxygen-free environment to cure properly.