High-Strength Bonding Adhesives

Three adhesive families are generally considered for high-strength structural bonding applications: epoxies, acrylics and urethanes. These adhesives can be used as liquids or thin bonding systems, such as transfer tapes or pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.

Epoxies combine high-strength and elevated temperature resistance. They are available in one-part heat curing and two-part room-temperature curing formulations. Epoxy film adhesives can be die-cut to make it easy to bond complex parts. They provide good shear and peel strength and resistance to shock and fatigue.

Acrylic adhesives cure quickly and create high-strength bonds with a wide range of substrates. They are available as one-part anaerobic adhesives that cure without oxygen, one-part light-cure adhesives that set-up in seconds, and two-part formulations that have improved viscosity and handling characteristics and form long-term fatigue resistant bonds. Cyanoacrylates are one-part acrylic-based adhesives with very fast cure times and are uniquely suited to join problem materials such as EPDM rubber gaskets to metal. Flexible, pressure-sensitive acrylic foam tapes and adhesive transfer tapes deliver high holding strength, excellent resistance to harsh environments and prevention of bi-metallic corrosion.

Urethanes are one- and two-part adhesives that are tougher than epoxies because of their combination of strength and flexibility. They are used for bonding dissimilar materials because of their ability to handle expansion and contraction well.

High strength applications include exterior panels for trucks, trailers, ambulances and RVs; curtain wall design in structures ranging from air terminals to skyscrapers; durable and strong cabinet and equipment enclosures; adhesives for medical devices and equipment.