Adhesive bonding is used in numerous industries and settings. But what exactly is it, what is it used for, and what are its benefits and drawbacks?
What is adhesive bonding?
Adhesive bonding is a process used for joining surfaces together. It utilises various adhesive materials such as pastes, liquids, tapes and sheets.
How does the bonding process work?
The adhesives chemically bond to and mechanically interlock with the substrate (the surface to which they are being bonded). This process is known as adhesion.
How are adhesives applied?
Adhesives can be applied in a variety of ways. Many utilise specially-designed dispensers which are able to offer precision control and accuracy. Some other types can be applied by simply using a small amount of manual pressure.
Where is it used?
Adhesive bonding is used in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, medical, manufacturing, and food distribution (to name but a few). It is used to join metals, ceramics, glass, plastics, composites, rubber and other materials.
Applications
The list of items that are made using adhesive bonding is vast, but some of the most common examples include mobile phone screens, computer circuit boards, insulation panels, car trims, EV batteries and medical devices.
Metal Bonding Adhesive Experts
If you wish to learn more about metal bonding adhesive, there are a number of companies that specialise in this sphere. Many of these firms have online resources for your perusal, such as the examples seen here: https://www.ct1.com/product-applications/metal-to-metal-adhesive/.
Advantages of Adhesive Bonding
Firstly, adhesive bonding can provide cohesive and reliable bonds that are able to ensure any connections are long-lasting and secure. Secondly, they remove the need for mechanical fasteners, which can be fiddly, take up space, and may not evenly distribute the load. Thirdly, using adhesives can create seamless (and sometimes invisible) bonds. This is better from an aesthetic perspective when compared to traditional mechanical fasteners.
Despite the many advantages, some adhesives can be slow to bond, some may struggle with filling larger gaps, and some are not suitable for extreme high-temperature applications.
