WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE?

Construction adhesives can be further defined by the materials, or substrates, to be bonded. To start a bond the process of adhesion must occur by chemically, mechanically, and/or physically adhering material to the substrates. Adhesives used in construction are classified by function into two broad categories, structural and non-structural. 

Structural adhesives are used to bond materials which must withstand loads or stresses acting to compromise structural integrity. Plywood laminate glues and epoxy used to put mounting bolts into concrete are typical examples of these bonding systems. 

Non-structural adhesives keep decorative or protective materials in place such as tiles, laminates, floor coverings, millwork, and other elements that are not subject to critical stress. Clearly to prevent disaster the distinction between these two categories must be considered prior to selecting an adhesive for engineering applications.

A typical categorization of adhesives based on substrates would be:

Smooth surface contact requiring minimal adhesive thickness: includes hard, finished, and impervious substrates such as dense concrete, plastics, metals, hardwood, glasses, etc. Chemical, heat, or radiation reactive components adhere to the substrate without need for solvent evaporation or absorption. Chemical and/or physical changes then occur to build cohesion. Examples include epoxies, thiokols, thermosets, RF and UV activated, and some humidity activated adhesives such as certain silicones and polyurethanes.

Rough surface contact requiring greater adhesive thickness: includes permeable, absorptive, and unfinished substrates such as softwood, bricks, lightweight concrete, joints, and seams. Solvent based solutions, emulsions, dispersions, and other similar adhesives are used which have a low viscosity carrier to promote adhesion. The carrier then reacts, evaporates, or is absorbed by the substrate to build cohesion. Examples include acrylics, mastics, pressure sensitive formulations, cements, mortars, PVC resins, some silicones, and certain foaming polyurethanes.

Photo from Vital Technical

Photo from Vital Technical

RECOMMENDED FOR:

Bonds to a large variety of building materials. Use for installing metal and wood studs or strapping to concrete, wood furring strips to concrete floors for carpet installation, mounting panelling, and vinyl cove base.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR:

Polyethylene or polypropylene; continuously wet areas or water immersion.

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Source from: Vital Technical

Read also:

- Why Customers Should Choose Vital Technical (UPS)

- What Industry Uses Sealant & Adhesives

- What Are The Different Types Of Adhesives

WHY CUSTOMERS SHOULD CHOOSE VITAL TECHNICAL (UPS)?

Vital Technical is a leading sealant & adhesive manufacturer in South East Asia, and largest MS sealant manufacturer in South East Asia. It wide range of products, enabling oversea customers to buy different types of sealants & adhesives in container load to reduce shipping cost. Vital Technical  is  ISO 9001 & 140001 compliant and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for multiple global prestigious brands – quality assured, and products meet multiple international quality standards like ASTM. Vital Technical is located in Rawang, Selangor, strategic location for local customers in terms of order and delivery.

Source from : Vital Technical 

Vital Technical Distribution Sdn Bhd Exhibition - 01

Vital Technical Distribution Sdn Bhd Exhibition - 02

Vital Technical Distribution Sdn Bhd Exhibition - 03

WHAT INDUSTRY USES SEALANT AND ADHESIVES?

Construction – Door & Window  (Aluminum & Glass fabrication)

Construction – Façade cladding & Skylight

Construction – waterproofing

Construction – plumbing & sanitary

Construction – flooring & decking

Construction – IBS – precast wall panel

Construction – Interior Design

Construction – HVAC

Construction – Solid Surface (natural/artificial) stone

Construction – Roofing & Gutter & Awning

Construction – Raised Floor

Construction – wardrobe, kitchen cabinet, insect screen

Industrial - Coach Builder

Industrial - Ice Truck/Box Van Builder

Industrial - Aquarium Maker

Industrial - Glass Manufacturer

Industrial - Furniture Manufacturer

Industrial - Refrigerator Maker 

Industrial - Showcase Maker

Industrial - Cold Room Installer

Industrial - Cooling Tower Supplier/Contractor 

Industrial - Cabin/Container Maker

Industrial - Signage Contractor

Industrial - Metal Contractor

Industrial - Sofa Manufacturer

Industrial - Door Manufacturer/Supplier

Industrial - Timber Product Manufacturer

Industrial – Shoe manufacturers

Industrial – Marine/Ship Building

Industrial – Miscellaneous Manufacturer

Industrial - Industry-Other

Automotive – Workshop (Mechanic)

Automotive – Workshop (Accident Repair)

Automotive - Car Cushion

Automotive – Car accessories

Automotive – Windscreen repair

DNY Home Users

Adhesives and sealants can be classified according to four major markets — construction, automotive, industrial and consumer. Nearly all manufacturers produce a wide range of products, which are consumed in the major end-use markets. 

Major users of adhesives are the packaging, automotive, construction and furniture industries. Sealants are used primarily by the construction, electronics and automotive industries. A large and growing element of the consumer market is aimed at the "do-it-your-self" engaged in building maintenance and renovation.

The packaging industry is expected to consume greater quantities of adhesives in containers and flexible packaging. While this industry uses many types of adhesives, hot-melt products are expected to grow most quickly, because they are particularly suitable to modern, high-speed processes. Structural sealants can be used to hold curtain wall panels and insulating glass units in place, sometimes without accompanying support from mechanical fasteners.

The automotive market offers products are used for interior applications (such as bonding decorative trim and carpeting, and sealing doors and windows) and for exterior applications (including vinyl roofs and side mouldings). Increased use of polymer composites will lead to increased adhesive consumption. Even in conventional metal construction, adhesive usage is expected to increase to overcome the problems of corrosion and vibration noise associated with mechanical fasteners and spot welding. The aerospace industry is also using increasing amounts of adhesives and sealants for essentially the same reasons as the automotive industry. 

Source from: Vital Technical (V-Tech)

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADHESIVE?

Adhesives types can be classified in material and function, such as Epoxy / Urethane / Methacrylate / Instant Adhesive / Contact Adhesive / IQ Glue / Wood, Paper & Fiber Adhesives / PermaTack / Threadlockers.

On the others hand: Water Based, Thermal Adhesives, Two Part Adhesives, Moisture Cure Adhesives, Ultraviolet Cure Adhesives, Cyanoacrylate Adhesives, Anaerobic Adhesives, Film Adhesives.

TYPE	EXAMPLE	HOW IT BONDS	USES	STRONG POINTS	WEAK POINTS	TIPS
PVA – White/Yellow Glues	Elmer’s, Tilebond	Physically interlocks materials	Porous Materials – Wood, Paper	Water-based, easy clean-up, long open time, Heat/moisture to reverse bond	Needs clamping while setting. Slow setting	Use sizing on really porous materials, like wood endgrain
Epoxy		Physically interlocks and chemically bonds materials	Bonds most substrates	Very strong and tough, various cure times available.	Needs clamping while setting, Not reversible	Allow to partially cure before application for small parts that aren’t easily clamped
Solvent Cements	Tenax, Plastruct, Testors, Acetone, Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)	Dissolves plastics, which then re-harden, similar to welding	Polystrene and acrytic plastics – Each kind of plastic will require a different solvent	Very strong bond, quick set and cure time	Will dissolve or distort think materials. Generally not reversible	For straight solvent, use touch-n-flo to apply cement directly to jointly, otherwise, use very small brush.
Cyanoacrylate	Zap, Cyanopoxy	Binds to water and hydroxyl groups on substrate surface	Bonds just about all non-porous materials	Very strong bond	Brittle, low shear strength, Gap-filling cement somewhat better	Use thin CA where you can make tight joints, thick CA for looser joints
Contact Adhesive	Goo, Barge Cement	Viscosily of adhesive holds materials together	Bonding dissimilar materials, like wood and plastic, metal and plastic	Stick almost anything	Creep, joint failure. Solvent may affect plastics	Vinyl floor adhesive is water-based, good for non-structural, dissimilar joints.
Polyurethane	Gorilla Glue	Interlocks and binds to water/hydroxyl	Bonds many substrates	Water-proof, expands to fill gaps while setting	Expands while setting, so must be clamped while setting	Moisture-catalyzed, short shelf life after opening. Keep opened container as dry as possible.

Sources from : Vital Technical (V-Tech)