Adhesive
Adhesives are defined as non-metallic substances capable of joining materials by surface bonding (adhesion), the bond itself possessing adequate internal strength (cohesion). Adhesive is a generic term and covers other common terms, such as glue, paste, gums, adhesive cement, and bonding agent.
Adhesive bonding is the most versatile of all joining techniques and can be used to join plastic parts to each other or to other materials such as metals, ceramics, or wood. A range of joint strengths is available, ranging from low-strength putty and caulking compounds, which are used only for space-and void-filling, to high strength structural adhesives used in the automotive and aerospace industries. In simplest terms, an adhesive is applied to the substrate, or adherend, surfaces; the joint is formed by holding the components together while the adhesive cures/ hardens to develop structural properties, forming a bond to both surfaces.
References
- Adhesive and Adhesive Tapes edited by Gerhard Geirenz, Werner Karmann
- Handbook of Plastics Joining by Michael J. Troughtton
