Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants
Covering structural and non-structural applications, this handbook lets you thoroughly explore the use of polymeric adhesives and sealants for joining or bonding metals, plastics, composites and elastomers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants
Chapter 8: Adhesive Classifications
8.1 Introduction
There are many types and variations of commercial adhesive materials to choose from for any specific application. There are also a seemingly unlimited number of adhesive composition possibilities available to the formulator for the "engineering" of a custom product. These numerous alternatives can make the selection of the proper adhesive system a difficult process.
This chapter is the first of four chapters that will guide the reader to the proper choice of adhesive. In this chapter, the methodology that is commonly used to characterize adhesives will be identified. These classifications are commonly used throughout the industry. Chapter 9 will describe how adhesive systems are formulated to meet specific functional characteristics. Chapter 10 will describe the common chemical families that are used as adhesives and how the processing and performance of the ultimate adhesive are related to the base resin. Chapter 11 will then highlight the processes involved in selecting the correct adhesive for a given application. A similar analysis for sealant materials is presented in subsequent chapters.
8.2 Basic Classification
Adhesives are classified by many methods, and there can be many hierarchical levels to these classification schemes. Perhaps, the broadest classification scheme is to categorize an adhesive as being manufactured from materials that are either synthetic or naturally occurring. Synthetic adhesives are manufactured from man-made materials such as polymers. Natural adhesives are manufactured from naturally occurring materials such as animal or agricultural by-products.
Many adhesives are made from organic polymers. There are also adhesive systems with inorganic origin.
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