Engineering adhesives are used to join materials in mechanical, structural and manufacturing applications. Adhesive performance depends on the materials being joined, surface preparation, joint geometry, curing method, loading and service environment.
This section provides engineering reference information on adhesive types, bonding mechanisms and adhesive joint design, including natural, rubber and elastomeric, thermoplastic and thermosetting adhesives.
For structural applications, adhesive selection should consider not only bond strength but also shear, peel and cleavage loading, temperature, moisture, chemicals, creep, fatigue and the required service life of the joint.
Engineering reference covering adhesive properties, terminology, joint design, loading, surface preparation and the selection of adhesives for mechanical and structural applications.
AdhesivesTheory of adhesive bonding including mechanical interlocking, adsorption, chemisorption, electrostatic effects, diffusion and weak boundary layers, with guidance on conditions required for satisfactory bonding.
Adhesive BondNatural adhesives derived from animal, vegetable and protein-based materials, including animal and fish glues, starch adhesives and casein, with typical properties, limitations and applications.
Natural AdhesivesFlexible rubber and elastomeric adhesives including natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, polysulphide and silicone systems, with properties and typical applications.
Rubber AdhesivesThermoplastic and related adhesive systems including PVAc, acrylics, cyanoacrylates, polyamide hot melts and anaerobic adhesives, with guidance on properties, applications and bonding plastics.
Thermoplastic AdhesivesThermosetting adhesives for structural and demanding applications, including epoxy, phenolic, resorcinol, polyester and polyimide systems, with properties and selection guidance.
Thermosetting Adhesives