Adhesives

ADHESIVES

Introduction:

An adhesives is any substances, inorganic or organic, natural, or synthetic, that is capable of bonding other substances
together by surface attachment.

Adhesives are applied as relatively thin film on the surfaces to be joined, in a plastic or liquid state which generally harden to
a certain extent after application.

Sometimes the adhesives is applied in the solid state; but it must then pass through the plastic or liquid state can be realized
by solution in a solvent, by raising the temperature and/or by raising the pressure.

The setting or hardening of the adhesive then results from evaporation of the solvent, from cooling, from equalization of the
pressure or form the formation of a new material by a chemical reaction.

Adhesive is the general term and includes among others cement, glue, gum and paste. All these terms are used
interchangeably.
ADHESION PROCESS

Introduction:

No complete and clear picture of the processes involved in adhesion has yet been formed.

The development of new adhesives on a scientific basis has consequently had little success.

However, there are chemical, physical and mechanical causes of the adhesion between a glue and the surface to which it is
applied.

When two flat surfaces are brought into contact it can be seen that only a small fraction of the total surface areas actually
are in contact.

If these microscopic voids between the two solid surfaces can be filled with an adhesive fluid which, then, cures or hardens
to form a solid adhesive, a strong adhesive bond will be developed and considerable energy will be required to separate
the two solid pieces.

What does seem to be certain is that the wetting of the surfaces to be joined by the adhesive is of very great importance.

Good wetting means that the conditions for good contact are satisfied, so that the adhesives forces can be maximum.
Rules for making a good joint with an adhesive:

In the first place, the surfaces to be joined should be clean, free of oil, grease and dust, and usually dry.

Corrosion products should be removed. In most cases, steel wire brushing, sand blasting, picking, etc., can be used for
preparing a surface.

If two surfaces cannot easily be made to adhere, a primer coat may often provide a new surface with better adhesion than
the original one.

Zinc-chromate primers, for example, are very suitable in this respect.

The two surfaces should “match” as well as possible, so that the adhesive can form a continuous thin film between them.

The surface should not be so rough that the sharp points of the irregularities can penetrate through the adhesive film and
thus interrupt it.

It has been found that the thinner the adhesive film, the stronger the joint.

Roughening of the surface should be allowed only when certain surface deposits must be removed or the surface available
for adhesion is too small to give a joint of the desired strength, and it can be enlarged by sanding.
Care should be taken that the adhesive is not contaminated by dust, dirt, oil or grease. Oil and grease in particular can have
a very bad effect on the setting of the adhesive, as they can act as softeners.

An adhesive which has become too thick should be thinned only with the recommended diluents.

The way the joint is loaded is also very important.

If the load is perpendicular to the adhesive film, the strength of the joint increases practically in proportion to the area of
the adhesive film.

If the load is parallel to the joint, i.e. the joint is subjected to shear forces, rubber-like adhesives give a strength which is
practically proportional to the area of the adhesive film, but hard, brittle adhesives behave in quite a different way.

(The explanation for this must be sought in the fact deformation in the materials gives rise to stresses in the adhesive film
which can be dealt with better by elastic adhesives than by more brittle ones. If the objects to be joined are made thicker,
the deviation from linearity is less.)

In general, adhesive joints can withstand much greater shear loads than tensile loads.

The way in which the parts to be joined overlap also plays an important role. Some examples of good and bad joint
configurations are given.

The adhesive must be free from coarse particles that could ruin the contact between the joined surfaces.
During setting, the joint should be under pressure, to ensure good contact.
TYPES OF THE ADHESIVES

Forms of adhesives

Adhesives are available in various forms.

The main component is nearly always a binder or combination of binders that ultimately provides the connecting film.

The various forms of adhesive correspond to the various ways in which they are used.

There are, for example :

1. Adhesives in dissolved form, where the binders is dissolved in a solvent to a consistency that allows it to be brushed,
roller-coated or sprayed.

2. Adhesives in dry form, which can be melted then they are to be used

3. Adhesives in film form, where a section of the film is cut out and placed between the surfaces to be joined. The joint is
made by pressure and heat.

4. Adhesives which retain their “stickiness”, as on adhesive tape.

5. Adhesives in dry form on a carrier, which are reactivated by wetting with a solvent.
Classification of adhesives

The number of adhesives is almost countless.

The following two classifications may serve as guide-lines in this jungle of possibilities.

1. Classification of adhesives, according to the way the adhesive film is formed

Air- drying adhesives

These set by evaporation of the solvent.

Thermoplastic adhesives

Although the adhesive film is initially formed by evaporation of the solvent, the final joint is obtained by melting the
adhesive by heat, while the two surfaces are pressed together. On cooling, the adhesive film regains its hardness, and the
joint is made.

Chemically hardening adhesives

Consist of two or more components that react when mixed to give a solid substance. This may occur at room temperature
or above. The cold-setting adhesives include certain epoxy adhesives, silicates and cold-setting urea adhesives for wood.
The hot setting adhesives include certain epoxy adhesives, phenolcresol- and urea- formaldeahyde adhesives.
Pressure –sensitive adhesives

After being applied to a surface, the liquid adhesive remains sticky after cooling or dying at room temperature, or in any case
can flow to a certain extent under pressure, returning more or less to a solid state when pressure is released.

2. Classification according to main binder

Vegetable adhesives

Based on starch, dextrin, gum, etc.

Animal adhesives

Based on bone, flesh and hide glues, fish glue, casein, blood albumin.

Natural resin adhesives

Based on rosin, shellac, asphalt.

Cellulose adhesives

Based on cellulose nitrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, Cellulose acetobutryate, carboxymethyl
cellulose.
Polyvinyl adhesives

Based on polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride-acetate, polystyrene,
polymethylmethacrylate,

Polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl formal.

Synthetic resin adhesives

Based on phenol-, resorcinol-,urea-and melamine-form-aldehyde or alkyd resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins,
polyurethanes, silicones.

Natural and synthetic rubber adhesives

Based on natural rubber, chlorinated and hydrochlorinatred rubber, cyclised rubber, acrylonitrile rubber.

Inorganic adhesives

Based on silicates, magnesium oxychloriode, sulphur with sand, phosphates, lead glycerate.

*Combinations of various binders are often used to lend certain properties in a given adhesive.
CHIOCE OF ADHESIVE AND METHOD

The choice of adhesive and the way it is used depend on many factors, including:

The materials to be joined, which determine the types of adhesive.

In the first instance.

The demands made on the final joint, such as strength, type of load, heat resistance, resistance to moisture, resistance to
chemicals, electrical properties, colour, etc.

The method of applications with the materials used or the production techniques followed.

There is no such thing as an all-purpose adhesive.

In order to find the right way to make a given joint with adhesives, preliminary tests have to be made, and quite a small
change in the construction of the objects may mean that a different adhesive and/or method is necessary.
BONDING METHODS
Several methods area available for allowing to set while keeping the parts to be joined in close contact. The method
depends on the way the adhesive sets and the material the parts are made of. Further, the speed of production, the quantity
and size of the objects and the cost of the equipment, must be taken into consideration. The adhesive may be applied with a
brush , spray gun or roller. Adhesives area also applied in powder form or in foil form. This last method has the advantage that
it is very simple to apply just the right amount of adhesive, while the solvent no longer has to evaporate off.

BONDING WITH THE AID OF A SOLVENT ALONE

Thermoplastics such as P.V.C., acrylics, polystyrene, celluloid, etc. Can often be bonded rapidly and efficiently with the aid of a
solvent. The solvent dissolves a little of the material, which then acts as an adhesive, allowing the parts in question to be
joined. When the solvent has evaporated, the joint is often undetectable. All the materials to which a layer of adhesive has
been applied and allowed to dry van also be joined with the aid of solvent.

HEAT-SEALING AND WELDING MATERIALS WITHOUT ADHESIVES

This method can be used only with thermoplastic material and is often employed for packing purposes (polyethylene). The
objects to be bonded are pressed together with the application of heat; on cooling, they are firmly joined together. If molten
material is added during the bonding process, the method is known as welding.

HEAT-SEALING WIHT ADHESIVE

The adhesive is here applied to one or both surfaces and allowed to dry thoroughly. The surfaces prepared in this way can be
stored for a long time (even months) before being joined together. The adhesive film can then be melted by heat, and the
surfaces joined by allowing them to cool in contact with one another for a time.
NORMAL AIR-DRYING METHOD

The adhesive is applied to both surfaces, and the solvent allowed to evaporate until the adhesive is just tacky. The solvent
can be god rid of in this “open time” more easily than when the surfaces are in contact. The surfaces are then pressed
together and allowed to dry further, if porous, it may be necessary to apply a second adhesive film to one surface after the
first film has dried. If one of the materials is porous, it may suffice to apply a somewhat thicker adhesive film to the non
porous surface, leave this to dry until tacky, and then press the porous surface into this adhesive film.

METHOD FOR CHEMICALLY SETTING ADHESIVES (CURING ADHESIVES)

With the chemically setting adhesives which contain a solvent, the method described in section (d) above should be
followed, except that the adhesive film must now be allowed to dry until all the solvent has evaporated off. This is followed
by setting at room temperature and possible pressure to be used are specified by the manufacturer of the particular
adhesive. It should be remembered, however, that these items and temperatures refer to the setting of the adhesive, so that
the items involved may be somewhat longer, for the objects to be bonded first have to be brought to the temperature.
The heating can be carried out by number of different methods, such as strip heating, high frequency heating, gas and
electric ovens, infra red ovens, etc.
SOME SPECIAL ADHESIVES AND SEALS

Optical adhesives
This one of the oldest adhesives, is still excellent as an adhesive for such purposes as lens systems. It is a transparent, high
viscous turpentine, which remains clear on setting. Once set it can be dissolved with xylene.

Adhesive foil for silicate glass

The foil is first dipped in a “swelling agent” for some time, so that only the surface of the foil is affected. It is then rolled out
on to the previously cleaned surface of the glass, a little swelling agent applied along one side of the glass, and the second
sheet of glass placed in contact with the first, staring from the side with the swelling agent, so that all bubbles are driven .
The whole is allowed to dry from two hours at 60-70 C under slight pressure.

Neoprene adhesives

They are based on neoprene rubber. Resins are often added too, and the whole dissolved in a mixture of solvents. This
adhesive is much used for bonding of laminates to all kinds of surface, the bonding of artificial leather to wood, metal and
plastic, and in the footwear industry. The addition of 3-5% hardener raises the maximum permissible temperature from
about 90 C to about 130 C. The best bonding is obtained by applying a thin film of adhesive to both surfaces, allowing it to
dry for about 15 minutes, and then pressing the parts together as hard as possible for a short time.
Rubber on metal

The best bonding is obtained by electro depositing a very thin layer of copper on the metal, and vulcanizing the rubber on to
this with a vulcanizing rubber paste, but his requires very special experience and equipment. A very good rubber metal bond
can also be obtained by oxidizing the rubber with concentrated sulphuric acid. For this purpose, the rubber is dipped for a
certain time in concentrated sulphuric acid, and then washed “fissured” surface is obtained, which gives excellent adhesion
with various rubber cements.

Adhesives for photographic film

Although it is advisable to use the adhesives for photographic film recommended by the film manufacturer, it is possible to
make one’s own. For film on a nitrocellulose base, acetone or dichloromethane can be used; for safety film a mixture of 10
parts ether + 10 parts acetone + 5 parts ethyl acetate + 2 parts glacial acetic acid. In order to join the film, the gelatine layer
is removed locally by scratching or abrasion.

Adhesives for tellon, Kel-F, etc

An adhesive bonded joint is only possible with these materials, if the surface is given a special preliminary treatment by an
etchant. The surface to be bonded is first etched for 5-30 s, and then thoroughly rinsed in running water and dried.
Scrupulous cleanliness and careful handling, using protective gloves, goggles, etc., is demanded, as with as etching fluids.
Teflon pre-treated like this may be bonded with various adhesives.
Bonding of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal (Delrin)

Etching methods are also available for these materials, to make them suitable for bonding with adhesives. One such method
is a follows:
Clean with acetone
Dip in chromic acid
Rinse in distilled water and dry

The chromic acid can be made up as follows:

First dissolve 15 parts of sodium dichromate in 24 parts of water, and add slowly and carefully, with stirring, 300 parts of
concentrated sulphuric acid.

Suggested dipping times are:

Polyacetal (Delrin) 10-20 s at room temperature
Polyethylene 60-90 s at room temperature
Polypropylene 60-120 s at 65-75 C
This treatment alters the condition of the surface so much that joints can be made with various adhesives. For example,
polyethylene-polyethylene joints, with a strength approaching that of the material itself, can be made with an epoxy
adhesive such as araldite D.
G the bonding of the nylon
Whether an adhesive bonded joint is possible depends on the type of nylon. Epoxy and resorcinol adhesives are possibilities’.
Formic acid can also be used for nylon-nylon joints .sanding the surface lightly and cleaning with methyl-ethyl Ketone
afterwards gives better adhesion.
Bonding artificial leather based on PVC:
Artificial leather consists of a layer textile sometimes even tricot to which is applied a layer of soft PVC printed in an
appropriate pattern.

Two methods of bonding this material are described briefly below

Bonding artificial leather on metals and plastics

A neoprene rubber adhesive is generally used with success for the purpose. After the usual degreasing of the metal or
plastic, a film of adhesive is applied to this surface and to the artificial leather and allowed to dry for 5-15 minutes
depending on type of adhesive.

A good joint can then be obtained by rolling or pressing the artificial leather firmly on the surface to which it is to be bonded
for a good permanent joint, the addition of 5% hardener is strongly to be recommend.

Artificial leather on wood:

The same method can, in principle, be used here too, although a polyvinyl acetate emulsion adhesive gives excellent results
too. Preliminary drying is really unnecessary. Only one of the two surfaces need be provided with a film of adhesive, but the
two surfaces should be pressed together for longer. A very good method is that using rubber latex adhesives, to which a
special vulcanization dispersion is added to make vulcanization possible at room temperature. The two surfaces are
provided with a thin film of adhesive, which is allowed to dry completely. Within 24 hours, the artificial leather is rolled out
firmly on the wood, which gives immediate bonding.
PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVES AND TAPES:

Pressure sensitive adhesives are those which adhere on application of pressure. In many cases bonds with which such
adhesive loosen very easily. Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes can be used again and again, because of the permanent
tackiness of the adhesive.

These products occupy rather a special place, because they exhibit immediate adhesion as soon as certain pressure is exerted.

But, the adhesion is low compared with real adhesive, so they are used only a temporary joint is required, or when one of the
materials to be bounded is naturally so weak that it cannot withstand appreciable load.

The adhesives are available in liquid form, which can thus be generally supplied on a backing of paper, plastic foil, thin
aluminium plates, plastic foam and the like.

Often a protective layer is applied on top of the adhesive and removed before use, while sometimes the back is made so
repellent that the materials can be rolled and unrolled without trouble.
SELF ADNESIVE LABLES:

Self adhesive labels are available in many forms, from cheap paper price labels etc., to expensive looking aluminium plaques
carrying print or type.

The adhesive is generally one that sticks on practically any surface. Thin, flexible labels can also stick well on curved surfaces,
but not stiffer, thicker material, since here the restoring force of the material when bent exceeds the force of adhesion
provided by the adhesive.

TAPES:

Apart from their use for packing and decorative purposes, adhesive tapes are also important for electrical applications.

For example adhesive tape is used in the manufacture of coils, transformers, the insulation of electrical connections, etc. the
tape, which may be provided with a layer of adhesive on one or both sides, consist of paper, fabric or foil depending on the
nature of the application and the specific requirements.

Apart from self adhesive films, thermosetting adhesive films are sometimes used, generally, they give better heat resistant.
CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVES:

Conductive adhesives have not only the mechanical task of connecting different parts, but also the task of conducting
electricity, and may be used with success where, for example, heat sensitive parts or the presence of metals which cannot be
soldered, make normal soldering impracticable.

Conductive adhesives usually consist of a normal solvent free or practically solvent free adhesive, with a high content of
conducting metal powder as filler.

In view of the possible adverse effect of oxidation on the conductivity, the metal powders are chosen from the precious
metals, such as silver, gold, platinum or palladium.

It will be clear that the price of these adhesives is relatively high. When using them the possible influence of moisture,
temperature and mechanical load an adhesion and conductivity must be kept in mind.

Although conductive adhesives offer the solution to many conduction problems in miniaturization, the long setting time,
particularly compared with dip soldering, is still a great problem.
ADVANTAGES OF ADHESIVES:
Some of the advantages encouraging the increased use of adhesives are:

1. They can be used to join practically any combination of materials.

2. The materials to be joined need not be deformed or weakened as is often the case when rivets or screws are used.

3. A joint made with adhesives often has extremely good electrical properties.

4. The more or less invisible joint given by an adhesive is often useful in modern industrial design purpose.

5. Adhesives also open new perspectives in miniaturization. The many examples now- a - days in evidence show that
adhesive bonding fits into modern production techniques.

DISADVANTAGES OF ADHESIVES:

1. The joint is often indirect.

2. With a few exceptions, adhesives cannot withstand high temperatures, for they are organic materials, many adhesives; for
instance, decompose between 100 and 2000 C.

3. Quality control is difficult to carry out, and is generally destructive.

APPLICATIONS OF ADHESIVE BONDING:

1. Automotives.

2. Aircrafts.

3. Packaging.

4. Shoe and apparel.

5. Book binding.

6. Medical and dental.

7. Furniture making.

8. Electrical works, etc.

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