Industrial Adhesive Applications 101: Uses & Strengths

(BPT) – When deciding on an industrial adhesive, it’s essential to consider all the aspects of the project at hand: Is it suitable for the materials you intend to join? Will it survive the conditions it is exposed to? Is it compatible with the amount of stress it will experience?

There are a number of industrial adhesive types and applications to be aware of, but here at Evans EVCO, we specialize in three main categories: Epoxy adhesives (a subset of the larger structural adhesive family), hot melt adhesives and spray adhesives.

Read on to learn the properties for each type, and how to pick the best one to suit your needs.

Epoxy adhesives

While the terms ‘epoxy’ and ‘structural’ are often interchanged when referring to adhesives, epoxy adhesives are a distinct subset of the larger structural adhesive family. This type of adhesive is formed by mixing a resin and a hardener, resulting in a curing process that leaves a strong bond.

There are two main types of epoxy adhesives:

One-part epoxies: One-part epoxies eliminate waste and simplify the process by removing the need to mix in a hardener. Instead, one-part epoxies are cured by exposing the mixture to heat or UV light. This results in a rigid adhesive that is one of the most environmentally durable on the market.

Two-part epoxies: Two-part epoxies are made by combining two separately packaged components, which are mixed together to initiate the curing process. As with one-part epoxies, they are extremely durable in any environment, but they also afford modification abilities due to the substance needing to be mixed by hand.

Epoxy adhesives are used and trusted in a number of demanding industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial, nautical and many others. Whether it is a one-part or two-part epoxy, this type of adhesive is considered to be one of the most versatile and durable types available.

The larger set of structural adhesives does have its challenges to be aware of, however.

• Primers or other surface preparation may be necessary to achieve the strongest bond. This can be especially important to the joint’s performance.
• You need to be mindful of the type of substrate you’re dealing with, which can vary the bonding capability.
• Cure times may be longer than with other types of adhesives.

With that in mind, these adhesives are a durable solution.

Hot melt adhesives

Hot melt adhesives, most commonly thought of as “hot glue,” are adhesives that are sold in cylindrical sticks to be used in conjunction with hot melt applicators, or glue guns.

This type of adhesive dries and fully bonds within seconds to a few minutes, resulting in an extremely versatile and quick application process. Hot melt adhesives are effective for a number of materials, including fabrics, plastics, cardboard and many others.

It’s also typically as strong as metal fasteners, and the ease and quickness of application make it a perfect solution for industries like furniture, medical, packaging, electronic products, as well as a multitude of others.

If your project requires hot melt adhesives, Evans EVCO can help set you up for success. In addition to offering a wide variety of hot melt products, we also offer a number of different hot glue guns and a variety of parts to make sure your project or manufacturing endeavor will go off without a hitch.

Spray adhesives

Spray adhesives are a type of adhesive that comes in an aerosol can, allowing for quick and easy application to a number of different surfaces. Coming out in a mist, spray adhesives make it simple to apply an even coat. And it fully dries in about 10 minutes!

These come in a few different strength options, ranging from simple applications such as mending furniture or fabrics, to industrial-strength bonding that is suitable for more heavy-duty applications and a range of environmental conditions.

It’s important to consult with the manufacturer to make sure that a specific spray adhesive is applicable to your project or your manufacturing needs.

We can help

For more than 80 years, Evans EVCO has been providing the best quality adhesives on the market. Whether you have a specific adhesive in mind, or you need a customized tape product or bonding application, our experts can save you time and money by quickly solving your adhesive needs.

Contact us today to let our experts provide quality solutions for your business. And if we don’t have the product you’re looking for — we’ll create it!