Industrial adhesives play a crucial role in industrial applications. They’re a unique compound because their formulation meets the demands of various industrial use, resulting in securely and efficiently bonded materials. You can apply industrial adhesives through multiple methods, like rolling, spraying, brushing, or injection molding.
Notably, they can provide a cost-effective solution that can withstand harsh conditions that mechanical fasteners, such as screws and rivets, might not. Industrial adhesives aren’t visible, which means they can improve the integrity of certain structures without unsightly protrusions.
You might not realize it, but everyday products use industrial adhesives. The car you drive, the building you work in, and the electrical system in your home use industrial adhesives.
This article discusses five industrial adhesives you can find and where you can use them.
Epoxy adhesive primarily consists of a resin and hardener. These two components chemically react to give epoxy its durable adhesive properties. Besides this, epoxy is a highly versatile compound resistant to heat, pressure, and corrosion from various chemicals.
Because of these properties, many industries use epoxy adhesives in various applications. Fortunately, epoxy manufacturers provide a selection of epoxy adhesives depending on the industry. For instance, the automotive sector uses epoxy adhesives to bond engine parts, repair body panels, and as a paint primer. This industry’s epoxy formulation and properties are specified to withstand high temperatures, impacts, and vibrations.
On the other hand, the construction industry uses epoxy adhesive to bond concrete and repair cracks and sealers. You can find that the epoxy here has high strength, durability, and chemical resistance. This is especially true in building areas with floors that experience chemical spills and heavy equipment.
The aerospace industry also uses various epoxies. This adhesive is crucial as a sealant in airplane construction and bonding components in satellites and other space vehicles. Hence, the epoxy must have high resistance to pressure and high humidity.
As you can see, each industry uses an epoxy adhesive specially customized for the conditions in that sector.
You typically apply hot melt adhesives in liquid form and allow them to solidify as they cool. They have a fast-setting time, and you can apply them quickly and easily. This property makes them ideal for manufacturing as it means you can bond materials and use them right away, and you can visit this website to learn more about the adhesive.
A crucial property of hot melt adhesives is that they’re thermoplastic. Thus, you can melt and re-melt this adhesive multiple times as necessary without diminishing its bonding qualities.
Hot melt adhesives are often in use in the packaging and woodworking industries. You can also find them in bookbinding and product assembly.
Manufacturers use hot melt adhesives to seal packaging materials like cartons, bags, and boxes. In the woodworking industry, it helps bond pieces of wood for furniture, flooring, or other wooden products. Electronic manufacturers also use hot melt adhesive in their product assembly lines for efficient and fast assembly, enhancing their production turnaround.
Silicone adhesives are typically known for flexibility and heat resistance. In addition, they have good resistance to aging, weathering, and chemicals. Thus, you can find them mostly in materials subject to expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.
Like epoxy, the automotive industry can also use silicone adhesive on the engine and electrical components. The electronics industry uses it to seal and protect parts against environmental elements. Silicone’s flexibility makes this adhesive common in flexible devices like laptops, tablets, and mobile phones as a sealant.
But one sector you may find silicone adhesives most crucial is the construction industry. This adhesive often insulates glass and is used in buildings as a sealant, improving the building’s energy efficiency. Silicone adhesives are also standard in bonding mirrors and kitchen backlashes.
Most users consider acrylic adhesives easy to work with. One reason is that you can apply them with minimal surface preparation. Like hot melt, acrylic adhesives have fast-drying properties. They’re also resistant to aging, weathering, humidity, and water. Like hot melt, acrylic adhesives have fast-drying properties. They’re also resistant to aging, weathering, humidity, and moisture.
These various properties make acrylic adhesives popular in the electronic industry. You can find it in use on electronic potting and sealing. They’re also used to attach electronic components to circuit boards. Apart from the electronic industry, the construction, automotive, textile, paper, and leather industries also use acrylic adhesives.
In other areas, you might find contact spray adhesives, also known as contact cement. The formulation of this adhesive requires that you first apply it on both surfaces and allow them to dry. After that, you can bring the two materials together. You can use contact adhesives both on indoor and outdoor applications.
The manufacturing industry generally uses contact spray on rubber and plastic products. You can also find these adhesives in paper crafting, bonding auto rims, and various fabrics.
Industrial adhesives come in different types. And each type has various formulations to fit particular industries. The choice of adhesive you select can depend on the materials and applications. Knowing the properties and capabilities of each can help you choose the suitable industrial adhesive.
