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Structural Adhesives Explorer no longer monitors this technology area. Viewpoints About This Technology   Download the Technology Map  (PDF) View the Technology Map's Table of Contents Viewpoints   2004   Download all 2004 Viewpoints  (PDF) November - Acquisitions and Divestitures Reshape the Adhesives Industry October - Conductive Adhesives for Microelectronic Applications Applications: Cyanoacrylate-Based Tissue Adhesives September - Structural Adhesives from Renewable Feedstocks August - Nanoscale Additives for Adhesives Recent Developments: Silane-Teminated Polyurethanes for Flexible Bonding and Sealing • Restructuring at Bayer July - The Small Issue of Raw Materials June - Novel Joining Processes Recent Developments: Encouraging Start to 2004 for the Adhesives Industry May - Recent Developments: Scientists Discover How Spiders Stick to Surfaces • Engineers Improve the Performance of Conductive Adhesives April - Recent Developments: Henkel Restructures as Shakeout in Chemicals Sector Continues • Adhesives Manufacturers Continue to Look East • Russian Scientists Develop New Sealant Material March - Combinatorial Materials Science and Adhesives Development February - Recent Developments: New Development in Mussel Glues • Recent Developments in Bio-Based Adhesives     1996–2003 Viewpoints archive  >> About This Technology   (May 2004) In general, structural adhesives are high-performance adhesives capable of producing rigid, high-strength, almost permanent bonds between substrates in continuously stressed assemblies under relatively severe service conditions for relatively long periods of time. Structural adhesives based on epoxy, urethane, acrylic, and other high-temperature polymers have use in joining materials in aircraft/aerospace, automotive, electrical/electronics, building/construction, and consumer/appliance applications. Structural adhesives have good adhesion to a variety of substrates, allow very quick application, have excellent properties, and can be cost-effective. Structural adhesives provide numerous manufacturing advantages to designers. First, the materials permit the joining of diverse materials. Plastics and composites do not lend themselves to welds or mechanical fasteners because of problems with stress concentration, cracking, and fatigue. And such lightweight materials as aluminum or magnesium may distort during welding. Engineers who wish to design with advanced materials, therefore, must rely on adhesives. Second, welding equipment cannot access tight bends; thus, structural adhesives facilitate smoother, sleeker designs than welds or mechanical fasteners do. Last, adhesives work better with automated manufacturing processes and allow greater parts consolidation than traditional alternatives allow. Profitability of structural adhesives producers is above average for all specialty-chemical business area and is likely only to improve further for those companies that are technology leaders and innovative marketers, particularly in aerospace/aircraft, ground-transportation, and electrical/electronics applications. Producers must offer competitive products, quality, and technical service. In addition, producers must cope with increasing environmental legislation—especially recycling laws. Adhesive bonding of structural components in high-volume manufacturing operations is becoming practical and offers much opportunity. The importance of adhesives continues to grow with the many new advances in adhesives technology and the use of adhesives is growing across all industries.

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