We come into contact with glue every day. Hard to believe? Then just take a look at yourself. If you are wearing shoes, then you have the first point of contact with glue. Because the soles of the shoes are very likely glued. And even if you’re not wearing shoes. You are reading this text on a laptop, PC screen or smartphone. These objects used on a daily basis are usually glued at some point. Cars, planes, soccer balls, refrigerators, toasters – you guessed it – contain glue. The list could go on forever. So, glues and adhesives have kept our world together for thousands of years, and meanwhile in large industries as well as at home!
In this series, you will learn more about the world of glues and adhesives. For example, the advantages of modern glues and adhesives technology or how superglues work, and finally how the invisible everyday helper can withstand extreme conditions. The advantages as well as the many possible applications will be mentioned in part one. But let’s go back to the very beginning: How did gluing start?
From earth pitch, tree resin and glue
People have been taking advantage of the positive properties of adhesives for thousands of years. It started with simple adhesives such as earth pitch, birch pitch, tree resin and wood tar. They were mainly used to manufacture weapons, tools or to build dwellings.Later the first glues were developed, some of which were obtained from animals. The glues were used, among other things, for carpentry or for binding books.
Afterwards in terms of glues and adhesives nothing happened during a long time – despite the high demand. By the end of the 19th century only, the first changes happened. The rapid industrial progress accelerated the production-related development of glues and adhesives. Under the motto – mass production, it was time to develop new and modern alternatives that met the needs of the industry.
Today, very different industries benefit from adhesives and sealants technology – including sectors such as the agricultural technology, electrical installation, mechanical engineering, shipping, vehicle technology and many more.
Advantages of modern gluing
Today glue is practically everywhere. The title “How glues and adhesives hold our world together” is by no means to be understood as a haughty headline. But why do so many industries rely on it now? Quite simply, the assembling technology offers numerous advantages!
Weight saving
In some areas, such as the automotive industry, gluing is already considered the new welding. In order to achieve a particularly lightweight construction in vehicle technology, the use of glues and adhesives has been an established means for years. The lower weight means lower drive power for the same driving characteristics. Finally, it also reduces the fuel consumption.
Unaltered material surface
Glue has other advantages over many assembling techniques. For example, the use of this invisible do not alter the surface of the material, unlike welding or soldering technologies.
The specific properties of the materials also remain unaltered. After the gluing process, the hardening of the glue achieves a sealing effect that prevents fretting and contact corrosion.
Uniform power transmission
A clear advantage over rivets or screws? When gluing, the strain concentrations are minimized for large-area connections. This reduces strain peaks that could otherwise lead to damage.
Connection of different materials
Gluing enables the assembly of countless materials to or with each other. Regardless of whether it is wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, paper, the choice of materials that can be glued together is far greater than, for example, welding.
Gluing is not just gluing
Logically, gluing different materials also requires different glues and adhesives. With the household hot glue or the supposed all-purpose glue, you won’t get far in large industries.That is why there are companies nowadays that specialize in the manufacture of glues and adhesives, offering customized solutions for the industry. These companies include the Münster-(Germany) based manufacturer of glues and adhesives WEICON GmbH & Co. KG.
WEICON has been producing special products for a wide range of industries since 1947. The extensive product range includes special glues and adhesives, but also technical sprays as well as high-performance assembly pastes and greases – suitable for production, repair and maintenance. In the field of glues and adhesives, the product portfolio at WEICON ranges from screw locks, super glues and spray adhesives to silicones and assembly adhesives to casting compounds such as plastic steel.
Overview of WEICON Adhesives and Sealants
- Epoxy resin systems (plastic steel, repair sticks, epoxy adhesives)
- Polyurethane systems
- Acrylic structural adhesives
- Anaerobic adhesives and sealants (WEICONLOCK)
- Cyanoacrylate adhesives
- Screw locking varnish
- Assembly tapes
- MS polymers
- Polyurethanes
- Silicones
- Rubber-metal adhesives
But which glue is right for your application? The choice is large, the requirements complex. There are three basic questions you should always ask yourself when looking for the right glue:
- Which materials are to be assembled to each other?
- How big is the gap to be assembled?
- What type of stress, such as heat or moisture, is the piece exposed to after gluing?
The glue and adhesive finder from WEICON supports you in making the right pre-selection.
To be continued…
Part two of the “The World of Glues and Adhesives” series is all about the art of cleaning for pretreating surfaces. The glue can only hold properly on a clean surface!
Images: WEICON
