An Introduction to Adhesive and Sealants

An Introduction to Adhesives and Sealants 43

TABLE 1.12 Origin, Basic Type, and Chemical Family of Common Adhesives6

Origin Basic type Family Examples

Natural Animal Albumin
Animal glue
Casein
Shellac
Beeswax
Vegetable Natural resins Gum arabic, tragacanth, colophony,
Canada balsam,
Oils and waxes Carnauba wax, linseed oil
Proteins Soybean
Carbohydrates Starch, dextrins
Mineral Inorganic minerals Silicates, magnesia, phosphates,
litharge, sulfur
Mineral waxes Paraffin
Mineral resins Amber
Bitumen Asphalt

Synthetic Elastomers Natural rubber Natural rubber and derivatives

Synthetic rubber Butyl, polyisobutylene,
polybutadiene blends,
polyisoprenes, polychloroprene,
polyurethane, silicone, polysulfide,
polyolefins
Reclaimed rubber
Thermoplastic Cellulose Acetate, acetate-butyrate, caprate,
derivatives nitrate, methyl cellulose, hydroxyl
ethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,
carboxy methyl cellulose
Vinyl polymers Polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl
and copolymers alcohol, polyvinyl chloride,
polyvinylidene chloride
Polyesters Polystyrene, polyamides
(saturated)
Polyacrylates Methacrylate and acrylate
polymers, cyanoacrylates
Polyethers Polyhydroxy ether, polyphenolic
ethers
Polysulfones
Thermosetting Amino plastics Urea and melamine formaldehydes
Epoxies Epoxy polyamide, epoxy bitumen,
epoxy polysulfide, epoxy nylon
Phenolic resins Phenol and resorcinol
and modification formaldehydes, phenolic-nitrile,
phenolic-neoprene, phenolic-epoxy
Polyesters
(unsaturated)
Polyaromatics Polyimide, polybenzimidazole,
polyphenylene
Furanes Phenol furfural

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 An Introduction to Adhesive and Sealants

44 Chapter One

chemical reaction by crosslinking or curing between the molecular

chains, or by polymerizing from the monomer state. Table 1.13 offers
examples of common adhesives and the changes that are necessary,
after application, for them to solidify and become effective.
Modern synthetic organic based adhesives and sealants will be the
primary topic of this Handbook. However, natural based and mineral
based adhesives and sealants will also be included because they have
wide use in certain applications. Adhesion occurring via metallic pro-
cesses (i.e., welding, soldering, brazing, etc.) will not be included other
than to discuss these as alternative joining methods. Metallic joining
technologies are thoroughly described in other Handbooks.

1.7.2 Manufacturing processes for

adhesives and sealants
Modern adhesives are often a complex formulation of components that
perform specialty functions. The formulation of raw materials into

TABLE 1.13 Methods by Which Common Adhesives Harden13

Type of adhesive Applied form Change necessary to become effective

Carpenter’s glue Hot aqueous liquid Loss of water into substrate (wood)
and cooling
Polyvinyl acetate Aqueous emulsion Loss of water into porous substrate
(white glue)
Hot-melt Hot viscous liquid Immediate cooling on contact with
adhesive surfaces
Contact adhesives Solution in organic Allowed to lose solvent until tacky,
solvent then surfaces combined
Anaerobic Monomer of low viscosity Polymerizes in joint when oxygen is
adhesives excluded
Cyanoacrylate Monomer with low Polymerizes in joint with trace of
viscosity moisture on surface in presence of
metal ions
Urea- Mixed with water Loss of water into substrate and
formaldehyde immediately before use setting owing to release of catalyst
by water
Epoxy adhesives Mixed with curing agent Chemical reaction either at room or
before use; applied as elevated temperatures
viscous liquid; some
single component epoxies
can be applied as film to
set under heat and
pressure
Polyvinylformal Liquid with powder or, Set with heat and pressure. The
with phenol more usually, a film with pressure is essential to prevent
formaldehyde the powder set in a porosity from a small amount of
resin flexible matrix water liberated on cure

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