Various adhesives in the industry.
Today, adhesive bonding technology is regarded as the innovative joining technology of the 21st century and the companies in the German adhesives industry - also in the international competitive environment - as technology leaders. Adhesive bonding technology makes a significant contribution to the development of innovative products and offers the industry the prerequisites for opening up new, future-orientated markets in all sectors.
At the beginning of the 1980s, polymer chemists from the adhesives industry worked together with engineers from the automotive industry for the first time in a publicly funded research project to successfully develop and reliably introduce a process for bonding oiled sheet metal in automotive production.
This successful interdisciplinary interaction between chemistry and engineering initiated further projects, systematic research and development. When an accredited personnel qualification system for adhesive processors and manufacturers was introduced in the early 1990s, all the necessary conditions were in place to put the adhesive industry on the road to success as an innovative system partner. The use of adhesive technologies enables small and medium-sized companies to face up to their competition by creating innovative products.
What types of adhesive are there?
Here is a selection of adhesives used in the industry:
- Epoxy adhesives: With their impressive strength and resistance to chemicals and temperatures, epoxy adhesives are ideal for demanding industrial applications. They provide a reliable bond for metal joints and are perfect for construction projects where high strength is required.
- Polyurethane adhesives: Versatile and flexible, polyurethane adhesives are ideal for a wide range of substrates such as metal, plastic, glass and wood. They not only offer strong adhesion, but are also impact-resistant and ensure a long-lasting bond.
- Acrylic adhesives: If you need a fast curing time, high strength and weather resistance, acrylic adhesives are the right choice. These adhesives are ideal for use in the automotive and construction industries, where a reliable bond is required under extreme conditions.
- Cyanoacrylate adhesives: Cyanoacrylate adhesives, also known as instant adhesives, are unbeatable for quick repairs and bonding. Thanks to their fast curing time and strong adhesion, they are ideal for everyday use and small repair jobs.
- Silicone adhesives: Silicone adhesives offer flexibility, temperature resistance and excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces. They are the perfect solution when a flexible connection or reliable seal is required.
- Hot melt adhesives: With hot melt adhesives, also known as hot melt adhesives, you can bond materials together quickly and strongly. These adhesives melt when heated and offer a quick solution for various applications.
The industrial adhesives mentioned above are just a selection from the wide range of adhesives available. Depending on the specific requirements, there are also specialised adhesives such as metal adhesives, structural adhesives for aircraft construction or conductive adhesives for the electronics industry. When selecting the right adhesive, it is important to consider the requirements of the respective application.
In order to successfully utilise the advantages of adhesive bonding technology compared to other joining methods, the entire process from product planning to quality assurance and employee qualification must be implemented properly. However, this can only be achieved if research and industry work closely together so that the research results can flow quickly and directly into the development of innovative products and production processes.
One of the tasks of the Industrieverband Klebstoffe e.V. is to promote this development in order to increase the use of adhesive bonding technology in all areas. As a member of the board of the DECHEMA specialist group “Adhesive Bonding Technology” and the “GAK” (Joint Committee for Adhesive Bonding), the Industrieverband Klebstoffe supports the coordination of publicly funded research projects in the field of adhesive bonding technology.
The potential of the adhesives industry has not been exhausted in terms of technology or the market. There are clear opportunities for growth in the future - be it in the direction of removable adhesive bonds or adhesives taking over functions that were previously performed by other materials.
Eco-Nova has developed various cleaning products without hazardous substances (not subject to labelling) to remove adhesive residues:
Dyeclean 200, Gluemex, Topclean and Microsolv NX. Please contact the Technical consulting team.
