An adhesive, commonly referred to as glue, is any of the substances which, once applied on one or two surfaces, will seal and help them to resist separation pressure. Glues fall into two main categories, artificial and natural. Unlike natural adhesives, artificial ones come with plenty of benefits, including strength, consistency, and adaptability. Keep reading as we explore more info about adhesives to answer two main questions, “How do they work?” and “What are the main categories?”

How Do Adhesives Work?

Adhesives work through mechanical bonding, which forms between the adhesive and the surface when the adhesive gets into small pores of the materials being enjoined. After drying, the adhesive becomes solid and holds the two surfaces together firmly. It works as if you are driving millions of small bolts and screws in both surfaces to hold them together. The image below demonstrates the forces that help to bind two materials together.

However, it is not just the physical bonding that comes into play; chemical bonding also comes in handy. Chemical bonding happens when the adhesive binds on the molecular level. To demonstrate this, think of what happens when an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms bond together to form H20, or water. This implies that the two surfaces become one. Notably, hydrogen has a tendency to bond with other materials, and that is why it is one of the most common materials used in making adhesives.

The Main Advantages of Using Glues and Adhesives

There are a number of joining techniques, such as thermal bonding, mechanical fastening, and sewing that you might want to consider for your materials, but using adhesives comes with unique advantages. Here are some of them:

• Offers awesome design freedom.
• Stress is distributed evenly in joints.
• Cost-effective.
• More design freedom.
• Improves aesthetics and design.

While the advantages of using adhesives and glues are many, they are not without their own share of cons. The most notable is the difficulty in separating the surfaces because they are joined together permanently. In extreme temperatures, the joints you make using adhesives might be unstable.

Adhesive Categories

Modern adhesives, glues, and sealants fall into three main categories, solvent-based adhesives, water-based adhesives, and polymer-based type.

• Solvent-based adhesives: As the name suggests, these adhesives contain polymers in a solution form. So, when they are applied, the solvent evaporates, leaving the glue to harden and form a very strong bond.
• Water-Based Adhesives: These are also referred to as dispersion adhesives and come as solutions or powders that have to be mixed with water before use. When water evaporates, the polymer coagulates into the polymer bond. Some common water-based adhesives include:

1. Latex glue.
2. White school glue.
3. Starch glue.

• Polymer-Based Adhesives: Also known as emulsion adhesives, polymer-based adhesives are made with strong bonding polymers, such as polyvinyl acetate. They are very sensitive to heat and then form very strong bonds after cooling. They are mainly used when gluing wood.

Special Tips for Working with Glues and Adhesives

Now that you know the different types of glues, it is also crucial to apply them correctly. The best way to apply adhesives correctly is by following the recommended manufacturer's guidelines. Furthermore, you need to ensure the surfaces to be joined together are clean, dry, and free from dust. Here are some special tips that you need to follow when using adhesives:

• Always use the correct adhesive depending on the materials that you are joining.
• Ensure to use the right adhesive dispensing equipment for better results.
• Put a lot of effort into surface quality. You might want to start by cleaning or repairing it.
• If you are applying adhesive on product surfaces, pay a lot of attention to the color that it will have after drying.
• Most categories of glues contain toxic materials, and you need to be extra careful when using them. So, make sure to use protective equipment and clothing, such as face masks and aprons, to prevent the harmful vapor from getting into the respiratory system.

To bond two pieces of materials together in your facility or during home-based projects, adhesives and glues might be the best option. So, make sure only to select the right glue and further understand the type of pressure that will be applied on the joints. Remember to also use only the highest quality glues from top brands for better results.