THE MAIN COMPONENTS USED IN A SYNTHETIC ADHESIVE

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Synthetic adhesives are artificial, unlike natural adhesives, produced within the environment. Generally, synthetics are materials responsible for bonding two surfaces together by a surface attachment that resists separation. Synthetic adhesives have become more prevalent in the recent adhesive market due to their availability and their adhesive strength. Synthetic adhesives are latexes and poly. Below are the essential components used in making synthetic adhesives.

  1. Binder

This is an essential material required to make synthetic adhesives and is responsible for determining the bonding strength of the adhesive which make adhesives essential in the automotive sector. The binder is formed by two low molecular weight resins, which react to form a thin film upon application on a solid surface. Examples of binders are epoxies and polythenes. The binder adopts a different structure depending on where it is applied. Binds applied on force-bearing areas adopt a thermosetting resin, while those used on non-force bearing and large deformation areas typically adopt thermoplastic resin and rubber.

  1. Curing agent

A curing agent is a chemical that is responsible for causing solidification when adhesives are applied. The chemical enables primary adhesives to form a netlike three-dimensional structure, which in turn increases the cohesive strength of the adhesive layer. Curing agents are used during the chemical process, which involves toughening and hardening polymer materials by cross-linking the polymer chains. After the process, the final properties and strength of the adhesives build up. The most commonly used curing agents are acid anhydrides, amines, and sulfurs.

  1. Fillers

Fillers are solid substances that are insolublein adhesive. It is incorporated in making adhesives to increase viscosity, modify mechanical properties, improve thermal conductivity, and obtain better adhesion. Fillers are additives to adhesives meant to reduce their cost of production. Some filers are bio-based, carbon-based, ceramics, metallic, and hybrids composed of more than one filler. The amount and type of fillers used will significantly affect the properties of the adhesive that will be made. This component has made adhesives the ultimate solution to making DIY easier like enhancing your home décor and interiors.

  1. Thinner
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Thinner is a common component in manufacturing both paint and adhesives. It is a component added to adhesives to improve its technological properties by decreasing viscosity and prolonging its service life. Inners can either be reactive thinners that participate in the curing process or non-reactive thinners that play the thinning purpose. With time if a container with an adhesive, especially a solvent-based adhesive, the adhesives tends to thicken, making it difficult to use. By using the recommended thinner, the user can improve the viscosity of the adhesive, making it easier to apply.Acetone and propylene acid are among the commonly used thinners.

  1. Plasticizer

A plasticizer is an additive added to adhesives to make them soft and pliable by lowering the glass transition temperature and the elastic modulus. The plasticizer is added to the polymer matrix to modify the properties of the base polymer. Modification is achieved by mixing the polymer and the plasticizer and heating the mixture until the resin dissolves in the plasticizer. Different adhesives will exhibit different physical properties, and the ease of the plasticized material is made. The polymer compatibility and the desired properties of the adhesive determine the type of plasticizer to use. Examples are DHIP, DINP, DBT, and DOTP.

  1. Additive

Most additives are commonly used with pressure-sensitive adhesives. Additives include tackifiers, antioxidants, flame retardants, and pigments. Tackifiers are used to increase the glass transition temperature of elastomers so that the adhesive mixture has a high modulus which in turn distributes pressure over a large area, increasing the absorption capability of the adhesive. Antioxidants protect and stabilize adhesives against heat and light degradation and oxidation caused by exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet rays. Pigments are added to adhesive formations for coloring, improving the cohesive strength and tack retention and reducing the overall cost of materials.

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The overall formulation and properties of the adhesive are solely determined by the type and amount of primary materials used during formulation. The manufacturers should know the chemical composition and the role played by the essential components of an adhesive to avoid making many trials and errors. Synthetic glues are used in aviation, shipbuilding, electrical and electronics, motor building, woodworking, and shoe industries. 

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