TABLE OF CONTENTS The availability of a variety of adhesive-bonding methods is helpful in assembling components by adhesive bonding. The choice of the application method could restrict the design of the end product. The application method can also affect the selection of manufacturing materials, quality, performance of the product, and the product assembly cost. The following factors must be considered in selecting the bonding method:[1]
Size and shape of the parts to be bonded.
Specific areas to which the adhesive is to be applied.
Number of assemblies to be produced.
Required production speed.
Viscosity or other characteristics of the adhesive.
Form of the adhesive (liquid, paste, powder, film, and hot melt).
Many adhesives must be stored in the dark or in opaque containers, while others should be stored at low temperatures (e.g., 5 C) to prolong shelf life.[2] The manufacturer's directions, usually found in technical bulletins on a particular adhesive, frequently provide information on storage requirements. For example, the epoxy-phenolic film adhesive HT-424 (Cytec Corp.) should be properly refrigerated (Table 8.1) during storage.[3]
| Storage Adhesive ( C) | Useful Life (days) |
|---|---|
| ?23 | 180 |
| ?18 | 150 |
| ?1 | 75 |
| 24 | 12 |
| 29 | 3 |
| 38 | 1 |
Basic resins and curing agents for thermosetting adhesives should be kept apart so that accidental container breakage will not lead to contamination problems. Containers for solvent-based adhesives should generally by sealed immediately after use to prevent solvent loss and the emission of...
