Have you ever pondered the intricate processes involved in the creation of common items such as mobile phones, vehicles, or towering edifices? While sturdy materials like metal and concrete might immediately come to mind, there’s another key player often overlooked: industrial adhesive.
The term “industrial adhesive” may not immediately captivate one’s interest, yet its role is undeniably pivotal. This isn’t the commonplace adhesive utilized in school art projects, nor the quick-fix superglue found in home utility drawers. Industrial adhesives are high-performance compounds, designed to withstand severe conditions, contributing to the production of lighter, stronger, and more durable goods.
In this comprehensive peice, we will delve into the intriguing sphere of industrial adhesives. We will examine their composition, their myriad applications across various sectors, and the forthcoming innovations poised to transform this field. This article is designed to be accessible for both industry veterans and novices alike. So, prepare to venture into the often unseen yet crucial world of industrial adhesives.
What Are Industrial Adhesives Made Out Of?
Industrial adhesives are made up of a range of organic compounds that are combined in specific formulations to produce adhesives with a variety of properties. These properties can range from water-based adhesives to polyolefins, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethanes, and more.
Water-based adhesives are made from a mixture of water-soluble polymers and other organic compounds. They are commonly used in industries where low toxicity and easy clean-up are important, such as in the paper and packaging industry.
Polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, are another type of industrial adhesive that is commonly used in the packaging industry. They are made from polymers derived from hydrocarbons and are known for their excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is a type of industrial adhesive that is used in a range of industries, including footwear, packaging, and automotive. EVA is made from a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and is known for its flexibility and toughness.
Polyurethanes are another type of industrial adhesive that is commonly used in industries such as construction, automotive, and electronics. They are made from polyols and diisocyanates and offer excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, as well as resistance to water and chemicals.
What Can an Industrial Adhesive Be Used To Bond?
Industrial adhesives, while invisible to the eye, play a pivotal role in our everyday lives by holding together a diverse range of materials. Let’s take a closer look at some of the materials these potent adhesives can bond:
- Metals: Metals such as steel, aluminum, brass, and copper can be seamlessly bonded using industrial adhesives. They are often called upon in industries like automotive, aerospace, and construction to unite metal components, providing durable and robust solutions.
- Plastics: The ability to bond various types of plastics, including polycarbonate, PVC, ABS, and acrylics, showcases the versatility of industrial adhesives. Industries as varied as electronics, automotive, and medical devices rely on these adhesives to securely fasten plastic parts.
- Wood: Whether it’s hardwood or softwood, industrial adhesives can bond them effectively. This characteristic makes them indispensable in the furniture and woodworking industries, where they are used to securely join wood parts.
- Composites: Fiberglass and carbon fiber composites, common in aerospace and automotive industries, can be bonded using industrial adhesives. This allows for the creation of lightweight, yet strong structures, critical for high-performance applications.
- Ceramics: Ceramics, including porcelain and earthenware, can also be bonded using industrial adhesives. They play a significant role in the construction and electronics industries, providing secure bonding of ceramic components.
To sum it up, industrial adhesives are a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, providing solutions for bonding a wide array of materials across various sectors. These are just a few examples of how these adhesives silently contribute to the integrity and durability of the world around us.
What Industries Make Use of Industrial Adhesive?
Thanks to the wide range of compatible materials, industrial adhesives are used in virtually all industries that perform some kind of construction or manufacturing. Here are a few examples of industries that make use of industrial adhesives.
Automotive industry
Industrial adhesives are typically used in the manufacturing of vehicles. It’s used to bond certain components together, and can also be used to create seals on components like door panels and windshields.
Aerospace industry
The aerospace industry uses industrial adhesives to securely bond and seal components. This can include aircraft panels, windows, and other important areas that may be subject to extreme conditions during flight. The properties of industrial adhesives help the final product become resistant to extreme temperatures, adverse weather, and environmental factors.
Packaging industry
Industrial adhesive can be used to seal packaging. This can include boxes, cartons, crates, and even plastic packaging. It can be used in small amounts to seal consumer products, or in larger quantities for big items.
Electronics industry
The electronics industry uses smaller quantities of industrial adhesive to bond and seal electronic components. This can include circuit boards and their related components, or sealing different areas of an electronic device to protect it from humidity and dust. Industrial adhesive can also be used as part of a larger project that utilizes electronics, such as protecting the internals of a vehicle or a specialized piece of machinery.
Overall, industrial adhesives can be used in virtually any industry that frequently bonds two different materials together. The strength of industrial adhesive can be varied depending on the use case, and its extreme versatility makes it applicable for a wide range of applications.
What Are The Properties of Industrial Adhesives?
While there are many brands and types of industrial adhesive, they share a number of common properties that you can expect regardless of the type you purchase and use. This includes:
Strong adhesion to bond materials together permanently
Almost all industrial adhesives should be used with the intention to permanently bond materials together.
Industrial adhesives are designed to create a strong and reliable bond between two or more substrates. The bonding strength of industrial adhesives is typically measured in terms of their shear strength, which is the amount of force required to break the bond between two substrates that have been joined by the adhesive.
The shear strength of industrial adhesives can range from a few hundred pounds per square inch (psi) to several thousand psi, depending on the specific adhesive and application.
The strength of industrial adhesives can also be affected by environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity. Adhesives that are designed to be used in high-temperature environments, for example, may have a higher shear strength than those designed for lower temperatures.
Varying degrees of viscosity that change its application
Industrial adhesive can come in many different forms. While it typically comes as a liquid or tape, there are actually a number of different viscosities that it can come in. Some applications may require a paste-like substance that can be applied on the side of various surfaces, whereas others may require the adhesive to be less viscous.
Consider your use case for industrial adhesive and how thick you need it to be. Industrial adhesive can also come in tape form if your use case won’t work with a viscous substance.
How Long Does Industrial Adhesive Take To Dry?
Industrial adhesives have differing cure times based on a number of factors, and it’s important to consider these before you apply them to your use case.
One of the biggest factors is temperature. This affects both one-component and two-component industrial adhesives. A higher temperature will typically help industrial adhesive cure faster than if the temperature was low. The ideal temperature for most industrial adhesives is between 60°F and 77°F (15°C and 25°C). Anything below that will drastically increase cure times, with sub 40°F temperatures potentially halting the cure time completely.
Humidity is another environmental factor that could affect cure speed, typically affecting one-component adhesives. The more humid an environment is, the faster it will cure. Two-component adhesives typically aren’t affected by humidity as much. In some cases, humidity may be a requirement in order for the mixture to cure at all.
There are cold glue application systems that could be an alternative to the typical industrial adhesives that perform better with both humidity and higher temperatures. These are often considered safer for both the environment and operators since they can be applied at room temperature without releasing harsh chemicals.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to consider the types of material that you are bonding together. Some materials may have surfaces that make the curing time longer, such as wood. This is due to the porous surface of the material which could potentially absorb some of the adhesive, especially if it’s watery. Contaminants on the surface of the material may also affect the adhesive’s ability to cure. As such, it’s a good idea to carefully clean both surfaces that you are attempting to bond and select the right viscosity and product to match your needs.
Overall, the curing time of industrial adhesive is an important property to consider before you use it. Check the specification of each product that you plan to use and ensure it meets the requirements for your use case.
Conclusion
In conclusion, industrial adhesives are an essential tool in modern manufacturing and construction. They offer a reliable and efficient solution for bonding materials together without the need for mechanical fasteners. From metals and plastics to wood and ceramics, industrial adhesives can securely bond a wide range of materials in different industries.
As you consider your industrial adhesive needs, it’s essential to work with a trusted and experienced partner like Glue Machinery. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Glue Machinery offers a wide range of industrial adhesive solutions that can help improve your manufacturing and construction processes. Whether you need a water-based adhesive or a high-strength epoxy, their expert team can help you find the right adhesive for your needs.
So if you’re looking for a reliable and efficient bonding solution for your business, contact Glue Machinery today to learn more about their products and services. With their help, you can achieve stronger, more durable bonds and take your manufacturing and construction processes to the next level.