Adhesive selection

Abstract

There have been a number of attempts to develop a logical method of evaluating and assessing adhesives which would make their selection a more reliable process. The most recent, and successful, of these has been developed into a computerised process. This makes the initial selection of an adhesive type quick and simple and gives the user of the computer program a very good insight into the criteria which limit the choice. These criteria and the means in which they are displayed in the program are discussed in some detail in the present paper. This covers the geometry of the joint, its fabrication and ultimate use, the influence of adherend choice, and how the adherend and adhesive will perform under a variety of loading conditions. In addition, how differences in the material engineering characteristics – modulus and the elastic and plastic limit – of the various types of adhesive influence their practical performance and, hence, their logical selection is reviewed. Considerations such as these are of fundamental importance when designing power delivery systems and load bearing structures which involve bonded joints.

MST/827