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Adhesive Bonding

FORMING TECHNOLOGIES
There are many different types of adhesive to suit all types of joint design and performance requirements. There are two distinct categories of adhesive: synthetic and natural (also referred to as bioadhesives). Natural adhesives include starch and natural rubber. Synthetic adhesives include elastomers (rubbers), thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

There are many different types of adhesive including drying, hot-melt, contact, pressure sensitive, two-part and ultraviolet or infrared cured. Choice of adhesive is determined by the materials being joined and mechanical requirements of the joint. A large joint surface area is critical to achieve high strength and long term adhesive bonds. All materials can be bonded with adhesives and it is sometimes the only practical solution for joining dissimilar materials, such as metal and plastic without mechanical fixings. The benefits of adhesive bonding include no heat-affected zone and no weakening of the material by drilling holes for mechanical fixings.