TABLE OF CONTENTS There are over 20 kinds of elastomeric polymers each having unique physical and chemical resistance characteristics. For example, natural rubber (NR) has good vibration dampening properties, acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber (NBR) has good oil resistance, fluoroelastomers (FKM) have good chemical and heat resistance, and silicones have good low temperature properties. Through compounding, a given elastomer's performance can be enhanced but no single elastomer can be compounded to meet all applications. In the same manner, no single adhesive can provide the needed levels of adhesion and environmental resistance to all polymers. Even when bonding a particular elastomer, the adhesive of choice can vary depending upon the compounding of the rubber including the cure system, the environmental application of the bonded assembly, the substrate to which the rubber is going to be bonded (e.g., metal, plastic, textile, other elastomers) the moulding method (e.g., press, autoclave, extrusion) and the geometry of the part. Other factors affecting adhesive selection might include colour, conductivity, and means of application.
Thus the selection of an adhesive might seem overwhelming to the beginning technologist, however selector guides (e.g., www.chemlok.com), technical sales and service representatives, and this publication can be used to help find a suitable adhesive.
Adhesives for bonding of rubber in the vulcanisation process are of a paint-like consistency. They consist of a one-, two-, or three-coat system. The majority of adhesives used today employ a primer on the substrate to be bonded, followed by a topcoat adhesive. These are generally applied by brush, spray...
