Things You Need to Know to Choose the Right Adhesive

To choose the right adhesive, it is important to gather the necessary information before you make your selection. When selecting the appropriate adhesive, consider the following questions:

What substrates are you bonding?

Before researching adhesives, it’s good to understand the properties of the materials you intend to bond. Each substrate has distinct characteristics and will react differently when bonded. Additionally, consider whether the surface has been painted, lacquered, or treated, as this can greatly impact the adhesive’s effectiveness in creating a strong bond.

What stress will the bond experience?

This is another vital consideration when it comes to choosing the right adhesive. Because if you plan on putting your newly established bond under extra stress, you will need to use one of high strength. Consider the peel force, tensile force, or even compression the bond may have to handle, and choose your adhesive accordingly.

What will the environmental conditions be like?

This is an extremely important consideration when choosing an adhesive, as the right choice will be vastly different depending on the environmental conditions the bond must withstand. If the bond won’t have to deal with anything more than moderate weather conditions, you have far more choices, but if you need something that can deal with extreme cold or extreme heat, you will need a far more specialized adhesive.

Production

Think about how you plan on using the adhesive and how quickly you will need for it to be able to bond, as this will make a big difference to your choice. Fast-acting adhesives can significantly speed up production. But they are unforgiving when it comes to dispensing mistakes, so think about how fast you need your processes to be.

Will it be exposed to chemicals?

Chemical exposure can degrade certain adhesives and substrates. If there is a possibility of the bond coming into contact with chemicals, identify the specific substances and the level of exposure. Relay that information to the adhesive company. They can assist in choosing the right adhesive to handle the chemical exposure effectively.

What have you tried, and what happened?

If you have tried and failed in past attempts to bond these same two substrates together, think back to what happened with each of your attempts. And relay this information to your adhesives expert when considering your choices. Adhesive failures often provide valuable insights that can guide you toward alternative solutions.

For further help and advice, please contact Permabond.