Adhesives

Adhesives are used across many different industries as bonding agents to join a wide variety of materials. Some materials require only simple glues to bond them, while others require hot melt adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, or advanced formulations. Most commonly, adhesives are used where strength, durability, and the ability to withstand environmental factors are needed; in such cases, structural adhesives are used. These specialized adhesives bond materials together such as metals, plastics, wood, and among others. They are used in automotive assembly plants, aircraft assembly plants, and laboratories. Interestingly, not all adhesives are equal; in fact, some can be dissolved in water. Most adhesives cannot function without a curing process, which can involve the application of heat or the evaporation of solvents. The final strength and durability of the bond depend greatly on the curing process.

Specialized applications like woodworking, automotive, and electronics depend on adhesives, but they must meet very specific performance standards. The chemical makeup of these adhesives can vary widely and is often quite complex. Even though welding, soldering, and riveting are suitable methods for joining materials, there are situations in which using an adhesive is preferable. When you consider all the applications where strong, effective adhesives play a vital role, the desire for making even better adhesives is a powerful driver of research in both industrial and academic laboratories.