| With the vast array of adhesives and adhesive types | | | | but are quite flexible and resistant to high |
| available, the process of elimination is the best method | | | | temperatures. Two-part silicone products tend to work |
| to quickly narrow in on the appropriate product. | | | | more effectively than the one part products. These |
| Step 1 | | | | are a popular choice for shower and bathtub repairs. |
| Are there any certifications or qualifications the | | | | Phenolic |
| adhesive must meet? | | | | Phenolic require heat and pressure for the curing |
| Step 2 | | | | process but have peen proven to be excellent in |
| Select the correct technology for the application. | | | | bonding metals, or bonding metals to wood. |
| Step 3 | | | | Polyimides |
| What are the application specific requirements? | | | | Polyimides are based on synthetic organic chains. |
| Step 4 | | | | These are available in liquid and film form but tend to |
| What are the process requirements? | | | | be more expensive and tricky to handle efficiently. |
| Step 5 | | | | Polyimides are generally excellent with regards to |
| TEST | | | | durability under extreme temperatures. |
| Step 1 | | | | Hot Melts |
| Are there any certifications or qualifications the | | | | Hot melts generally aren’t very strong but work |
| adhesive must meet? | | | | well as an instant adhesive for fast production on |
| These include MilSpecs, Commercial Standards, NSF | | | | components that won’t have much pressure |
| or WRAS (for potable water contact), DVGW for | | | | placed on them. |
| water or gas, or perhaps biocompatibility for a medical | | | | Plastisols |
| device. | | | | Plastisols require heat in order to cure and generally |
| Step 2 | | | | produce strong, durable joints. |
| Select the correct technology for the application. | | | | Polyvinyl Acetate, or PVA |
| Anaerobics | | | | PVAs are considered an excellent solution for porous |
| Anaerobics are adhesives which cure when in contact | | | | materials, including wood and paper. You can find |
| with metal without contact with air. Anaerobics would | | | | plenty of polyvinyl acetate in packing and shipping |
| include thread locker adhesives, used to lock bolts into | | | | companies. |
| nuts. | | | | Pressure Sensitive Adhesives |
| Cyanoacrylates | | | | Pressure sensitive adhesives are durable in various |
| Cyanoacrylate adhesives cure through reaction with | | | | environments and excellent for labeling and on |
| moisture. A cyanoacrylate adhesive works best with | | | | adhesive tapes but really aren’t much of an option |
| rubber or as a plastics adhesive on small components. | | | | for industrial adhesives purposes. |
| They bond most substrates well but have poor | | | | Step 3 |
| durability on glass. | | | | What are the application specific requirements? |
| Toughened Acrylics | | | | Surfaces & Substrate |
| Toughened acrylics come in one and two part | | | | Joint Design, Gap & Strength |
| systems and work well on a wide variety of surfaces. | | | | Temperature & Environmental Resistance |
| Toughened acrylics are quite versatile, working with | | | | Step 4 |
| minimal surface preparation. | | | | What are the process requirements? |
| Epoxies | | | | How fast does the adhesive need to be dispensed |
| Available in one and two part, they offer structural | | | | and cured? Is rapid fixturing required? Will UV light pass |
| strength on metals but do not excel on plastics. Single | | | | through one of the substrates? Are the components |
| part epoxies require ovens to cure them and two part | | | | temperature sensitive? What viscosity is required to fill |
| epoxy may require a good bit of time to cure. | | | | the gap in the joint? Is that gap too large for optimum |
| Polyurethanes | | | | strength? |
| Polyurethanes are known for their high resistance to | | | | Review these requirements against adhesive selector |
| low temperatures and are excellent for bonding GRP, | | | | guides or individual data sheets. |
| or glass fibre reinforced plastics. Polyurethanes are | | | | Step 5 |
| impact resistant and cure quickly with the help of | | | | Test! When combining the large number of variables |
| special tools. | | | | which can affect the bond, the only sure way to know |
| Silicones | | | | is to test the adhesives in actual conditions. |
| Silicone adhesive products aren’t incredibly strong, | | | | |