Primers and adhesion promoters are applied to a substrate to enhance the bond strength between a surface coating (e.g. paints, base coats, adhesives) and the substrate. They differ in terms of:

• Type and chemistry
• Substrate compatibility
• Technology
• Application method
• Color
• Finish

Primers and adhesion promoters are used in a variety of industrial and commercial

applications, and in many different industries. They are applied to:

• Ceilings
• Decks
• Floors
• Roofs
• Pavement
• Walkways
• Walls

Processing characteristics include:

• Coverage
• Cure or dry time
• Curing or drying temperature
• Use temperature
• Pot-life time

Chemistry

Primers and adhesion promoters differ widely in terms of chemistry and substrate. Choices for chemistry include:

• Acrylic
• Cement
• Ceramic
• Glass
• Metal filler
  
• Polyurethane
• Silicone
• Silver filled
• Stainless steel filled
•  

  Vinyl

• Wax

Substrate Compatibility

There are also many choices for substrate. Examples include:

• Asphalt
• Bitumen or coal tar
• Concrete or masonry
• Fiberglass
• Food
• Glass
• Graphite
• Metal
• Paper
• Rubber
• Steel
• Wood

Technology is an important specification to consider when selecting primers and adhesion promoters. Film drying or air setting forms a continuous, dry film from a binder that can be pigmented. The evaporation of the solvent, carrier, or thinner sets the coating.

Laser marking uses a laser beam to fuse the coating, ink, or marking material with the substrate’s surface. Multi-component coating systems and adhesion promoters use a polymeric protective film that applies a primer or prime coat, intermediate coat, and/or finish coat. Reactive or moisture-cured, thermoplastic, thermosetting and ultraviolet (UV) irradiating products are available.

Features 

Primers and adhesion promoters are available as:

• Aerosols
• Cartridges
• Films
• Liquids
• Markers
• Pastes
• Powders
• Solids

Solvent-based primers primarily use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the carrier. Water-based primers and adhesion promoters use water as the primary carrier, but may also contain chemicals such as glycol ethers, alcohols, and other water-soluble VOCs.

In terms of application method, primers and adhesion promoters may be applied with:

• Autophoretic processes
• Brushes

  

• Curtains
• Dip or immersion techniques
• Electrostatic methods
• Electrocoating
• Rollers
• Screens
• Spins
• Sprays

Colors vary widely and finishes include:

• Flat
• Satin
• Semi-gloss
• High-gloss

Standards

9984262 - Primer (adhesion promoter) - nonconductive, interior, for olefinicplastics.

DELPHI DX010047 - Primer (adhesion promoter) - nonconductive, interiors, for olefinic plastics.

FORD FLTM AU 101-01 - Silane adhesion promoter - solids and ash content.

SAE AMS3100 - Adhesion promoter for polysulfide sealing compounds.

DELPHI DX810001 - AZKO nobel's 660-pob waterbased topside adhesion promoter for vacuum formed tpo sheet instrument panels. 

References

Image Credits:

Aron Alpha Industrial Krazy Glue | W.M. Barr & Co. | 3M Industrial Adhesives & Tapes