What are the key differences between some of our adhesives?
The world of adhesives is an overwhelmingly big one if you don’t quite know which one is right for the job, well we didn’t want to leave you in a sticky situation – so we thought we would highlight some key differences between some of our adhesives. Let’s clear some things up so that you can start bonding with your adhesives (pardon the pun):
Hot melt adhesives (HMA’s)
Otherwise known as ‘hot glue’ – the type you put into an electric hot glue gun. HMA’s offer a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to solvent-based systems. HMA’s are solvent and water- free, which makes them safe to use. They have a long shelf-life and are very versatile, so it’s a handy glue to have around. How do hot melt adhesives work? They can be applied to different materials whilst the adhesive is in its molten-state. The two materials are then bonded together, whilst the adhesive cools down and bonds the materials together. Magic!
Resin adhesives
If you can’t see the wood for the trees, we will help to try and clear a few things up for you regarding resin adhesives. Firstly, what is a resin adhesive? Well, today – it refers to synthetic polymer compounds that have similarities to tree and plant resin. So why use resin adhesives? They are extremely strong and durable, but be quick to act, because they create a strong tight bond that develops extremely quickly. If you are using this adhesive on a material that is likely to shrink and contract in different temperatures, then resin adhesive is perfect for the job, as it doesn’t shrink when the temperature changes and it is moisture-resistant. Depending on how adventurous you are getting, these adhesives are suitable for all types of underwater applications.
Epoxy adhesives
Now this is where we get a bit technical, so bear with us. What are epoxies made from? They are made by polymerizing resin and hardener to initiate curing – the reaction of molecular chains, resulting in a reaction which eventually forms epoxy. Expoxy is rigid and strong – the most widely used structural type adhesive. It is versatile, working well with a variety of materials. Epoxy has exceptional chemical and heat resistance and satisfactory mechanical and electrical insulating properties. Commonly, Expoxy is either offered as one component or two components. Used as one component, Expoxy is a great alternative to welding and rivets. Used as two components, it is extremely versatile – suitable for bonding, sealing and coating across industries such as, electronics, medical and aerospace.
How can we help you?
Adkwik have been solving adhesive challenges since 1994, and we are here to help you! If you aren’t sure which adhesive is suitable for your application, give our technical team a call on 01223 412373.
