Overview

The practical use of polymeric composite materials (PCMs) in specific branches of industry requires resolution of the problem of control of their properties. Means of achieving this control may be found when the regularities outlined under the descriptions of studies of phenomena connected with polymer adhesion strength are analyzed. It should be noted, however, that despite the fact that the principal property of PCMs is polymer adhesion stength, their use requires the control of a great number of other polymer properties and the development of special technical and operational methods, comprehensive testing, and so on. Thus, the Adhesive Research and Development Center includes basic departments, as listed below, dealing with the introduction of high technology into the field of PCMs.

1. Fundamental Research Department, whose employees contributed a great deal to these studies.

2. Applied Research Department, established to focus on the control of PCM properties, taking into account the results obtained in the Fundamental Research Department, and to study the use of PCMs for specific industrial and civil engineering branches, as well as to develop PCMs.

3. Pilot Plant Department develops "know-how" for manufacturing PCMs and produces pilot plants to undertake in-situ testing.

4. Technological Department develops methods of operation in PCM usage.

5. Certification Department is engaged in full-scale tests of PCMs and items made of them.

Here we describe the possibilities of utilizing the regularities already described for the development of PCMs featuring novel properties that help provide solutions currently unattainable with PCMs now available on the market.

9.1 Adhesives for...