Adhesive

Under construction

Original Entry: Ian Burgess, Fall 2009

Definition

An adhesive is a material that is used to bind two surfaces together. Most adhesives are initially in a flowable state (i.e. can be spread) and then turn into a solid state after time/drying/curing etc, forming strong bonds internally and with each surface. These bonds can be covalent or intermolecular bonds (dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonds, etc.).

Some Types of Adhesives

Thermoplastics

These adhesives are generally applied and spread above their melting point after-which they set into strong solids as they cool down. A glue gun is an example of this type of adhesive.

Photocuring Adhesives

Photocuring adhesives are flowable polymers which cross-link and solidify upon exposure to light (usually UV). They can be single component or be a mixture of multiple compounds, often a base resin and a photo-initiator or cross-linking agent

References

R.H. Todd; D.K. Allen and L. Alting . "Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide," Industrial Press Inc., (1994)