The Evolution of Adhesives Used in Structural & Assembly Applications [1940s - Present]

  Nitrile phenolics replace rivets in brake shoes

  No cylinder scratching, better braking service

  Anaerobic methacrylate adhesives replace lock washers in locking bolt applications

  Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) replace screws in appliance name/serial/face plate applications

  Cost savings, less callback, longer service life

  Cosmetic

  Acrylic PSA double-faced tape replaces mechanical fasteners to attach vehicle trim

  Epoxy/plastisols replace welding in hood assembly

  Epoxy adhesive replaces rivets in bus assembly

  Blocked sytrene butadiene rubber (SBR) adhesives replace nails in floor underlayment

  Epoxy adhesives replace nails in vinyl lamination of particle board 

  Epoxy adhesives replace mechanical fasteners & welding in appliance assembly

  Epoxy adhesives replace mechanical fasteners in glass syringe needle bonding application

  Anaerobic methacrylate replaces mechanical press fits to adhere cup plugs in engines

  Epoxies replace rivets on aircraft wing skins

  Silicone rubbers replace mechanical fasteners in auto side-view mirror applications

  SBRs replace cement in ceramic tile applications

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in motor magnets

  Improve corrosion resistance

  Enhance anti-fluttering

  Improve structural integrity

  Improve structural integrity & reduces squeaking

  Improve construction speeds & aesthetics

  Allow use of coil-coated metals

  Speed assembly & improve reliability

  Improve manufacturing & reliability

  Improve aerodynamics & structural integrity

  Improve flexibility

  Easier to use

  Reduce vibration

  Acrylics replace mechanical fasteners in wire tacking

  Blocked SBRs replace nails in drywall attachment, mobile homes & wood paneling

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in thermally conductive heat sinks for printed circuit boards

  Epoxies used in tennis racket construction

  Urethanes replace metal pins in picture frame kitchen cabinet doors

  Hot melt adhesives replace mechanical fasteners in appliance insulation bonding

  Hot melts replace mechanical fasteners in appliance sound deadening insulation application

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in curtain wall manufacture

  Cyanoacrylates replace mechanical fasteners in speaker magnets

  Cyanoacrylates replace mechanical fasteners in motor magnets

  Fewer parts

  Reduce surface finishing/nail popping

  Improve performance

  Enable use of new design materials

  Lower costs, higher production speeds, better appearance

  Improve insulating capability

  Reduce noise

  Less weight

  Improve sound & construction speed

  Reduce vibrations

  Epoxies replace welding/sealants in hem flanges 

  2-component urethanes replace mechanical fasteners in metal to plastic auto assembly

  2K urethanes replace mechanical fasteners in plastic to plastic auto assembly application

  SBRs replace nails in wood flooring

  Urethanes replace mechanical fasteners in windshield placement

  Urethanes replace nails & screws in residential exterior door gaskets

  Urethanes replace nails & screws in wood furniture applications

  Hot melts replace screws in auto interior plastic bonding application

  Foamed epoxy replaces mechanical fasteners in automotive pillars

  Epoxies replace welds in auto side crash bars

  UV curable acrylics replace thermal methods in plastic syringe needle bonding

  UV curable acrylics & cyanoacrylates replace mechanical fasteners in automotive headlamp assembly

  UV/visible light cure acrylics replace mechanical clips with gaskets in fluid reservoirs for dialysis filters

  Acrylics/epoxies/UV cyanoacrylates eliminate pin clips & sockets in chip-on-board bonding applications

  Structural acrylics replace mechanical fasteners in thermoplastic bumper assemblies

  Emulsion polymerized isocyanates used to cap ends of laminated wood I-beam joists

  Epoxies replace welding in refrigeration coil spacers

  Epoxies replace solder in 2-sided printed circuit boards

  Epoxies replace solders in flip chip mounting

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in snow mobiles

  Epoxies replace rivets in aircraft skin attachments

  1K methacrylates replace less robust fasteners in multi cure electronic adhesives

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in coil coated refrigerator door skins

  Reduce cost, no read through, improve corrosion resistance

  Join dissimilar substrates

  Allow SMC clamshell configuration

  Ease finishing

  Improve structural integrity, reduce weight

  Improve insulating factor

  Speed production

  Reduce noise, improves recyclability

  Reduce twisting, noise; improve structural integrity

  No read through, improve corrosion resistance & structural integrity

  Improve reliability & speed

  Faster processing & resist moisture leaks

  Reduce costs, speed manufacture, improve reliability & testing ease

  Lower costs, increase miniaturization, improve thermal management

  Lower cost, increase styling, automates assembly

  Reduce costs, increase reliability

  Allow thinner materials, noise reduction

  Smaller & thinner parts

  Improve flexibility & impact resistance for cell phones

  Eliminate loosening

  Reduce weight & resist temperature gradients

  Improve manufacturing flexibility

  No holes, smooth surfaces

  Urethanes replace welding/sealants in hem flange

  Epoxies replace spot welding in weld bonding applications

  Urethanes replace mechanical fasteners in vehicle trim attachments

  VHB™ acrylic PSA tapes replace solder/mechanical fasteners in sign assembly

  PSAs replace nails in picture handing

  Epoxies replace welding in metal to metal auto assembly

  Epoxies replace welding in automotive firewall to floorboard bonding

  Epoxies replace mechanical fasteners in plastic-to-plastic auto assembly

  Urethane hot melts replace mechanical spiral binding in book binding

  Urethanes replace mechanical fasteners in backlight placement

  Urethane replace nails & screws in kitchen cabinet frames

  Urethanes replace nails & screws in laminated furniture

  Urethanes replace metal pins in door frames

  Urethanes replace nails in furniture decorating

  Urethanes replace nails in wood decks

  UV cure acrylics & cyanoacrylates used in catheter assembly

  UV cure acrylics & cyanoacrylates replace alternative molding methods in inhalation masks

  Semi-pressure sensitive hot melts replace solvent based thermoplastic urethanes in automotive carpet panels

  Internal hot melts ("electromagnetic induction bonding") replace one component methods in polyolefin chemical toilet reservoir tanks

  Epoxies replace welding in steel office file cabinets

  Epoxies replace welding in auto roof cross braces

  Epoxies replace rivets in truck trailer aluminum roof skins

  Epoxies allow new construction materials for surf boards, snow boards, skis & bicycles

  2K urethane replaces mechanical fasteners & gaskets in jet skis

  Urethanes allow bladder press to laminate film on kitchen cabinet doors

  2-sided acrylic tape replaces metal clips in automotive exterior trim

  Acrylic tape replaces screws in automotive leaf screen molding

  1K methacrylate used in electronics adhesives which cure quickly via UV or visible light

  Methacrylates used in low shrinkage adhesives for securing critical electronic & optical components

  No read through, lower cost, better corrosion resistance

  Strengthen construction, improve flexibility, weight & noise reduction

  Improve corrosion resistance

  Improve speed & aesthetics

  No holes, marred walls

  Improve corrosion resistance, production speeds

  Improved protection & structural integrity

  Allow SMC clamshell configurations

  Allow books to lie flat - speeds shipping

  Improve structural integrity & reduce weight

  Reduce noise

  Cost savings

  Faster assembly

  Eliminates surface finishing

  Improved aesthetics, structural integrity, no nail popping

  Improve reliability, speed

  Reduce costs, simplify manufacturing, & improve speeds

  Eliminate solvents & exhaust hoods

  Lower costs

  No read through, lower cost, adhere after painting

  Ease production, improve structural integrity

  Smooth surface, improve corrosion resistance & structural integrity

  Seals & bonds

  Improve structural integrity

  No holes, improves corrosion resistance

  Reduce cost, fewer windshield breaks

  Safer, faster processing

  Replace higher shrinkage adhesives

  Better sealing against moisture & chemicals

  VHB™ acrylic PSA tapes replace welds in ambulance/panel trucks

  Silicones replace welding in automotive wire wheels

  VHB™ acrylic PSA tapes replace rivets in truck trailer aluminum side skins

  Improve structural integrity & corrosion resistance, no read through

  Ease of assembly

  Smoother surfaces, better corrosion resistance & structural integrity