Selecting the right industrial adhesives will promote better performance and durability, while also delivering improved cost efficiency. Making the wrong choice can cause the bond to fail, pile on the rework, or lead to downtime.
The right adhesive choice also affects throughput, rework, and long-term product performance across your manufacturing workflow.
Learn about different types of industrial sealants and adhesives so that you can identify when and how to use each option in your manufacturing facility.
What Counts as an Industrial Adhesive?
Industrial adhesives are bonding agents engineered for demanding applications in manufacturing and fabrication. Consumer-grade products are primarily designed to offer safety and cost-effectiveness while delivering a mild to moderate level of bonding strength.
Industrial-strength adhesives prioritize performance and consistency under stress. These bonding agents are commonly used in business applications such as:
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Product assembly and fabrication
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Equipment repair and maintenance
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Structural bonding of components
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Packaging and material handling
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Electrical and automotive applications
Industrial adhesives serve as a foundational part of high-volume production. If you are using the wrong bonding agents, it will lead to an increase in failure rates and a higher reliance on mechanical fasteners.
Adhesive vs. Sealant
Before you order industrial adhesives for your facility, it’s important to differentiate them from sealants. The primary differences have to do with what the compounds are engineered to do.
Adhesives are designed to join two substrates together permanently. Industrial adhesives offer significant load-bearing capacity to improve the structural integrity of the two substrates.
On the other hand, a sealant blocks out air, moisture, dust, or chemicals to prevent contamination. Sealants are more flexible and can accommodate slight movement between surfaces. Some industrial products bond and seal two substrates.
Match the Product to the Substrate and Environment
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all industrial adhesive. Each product is engineered to bond specific types of substrates and withstand different environmental conditions. Here are some basic tips for bonding different materials:
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Metal: Requires high-strength bonding and resistance to heat, vibration, and chemicals
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Plastic: Some plastics are difficult to bond, so carefully verify that the product was designed for the type of plastic you are working with
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Mixed Materials: Requires adhesives that accommodate different expansion rates
You should also consider what sort of environment the product will be exposed to. Account for factors such as:
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Moisture
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Heat
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Movement
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Outdoor exposure
Before applying the adhesive, verify that the surface has been adequately prepared. For example, you may need to clean or roughen metal.
If you need help narrowing the right product by substrate, environment, or performance requirement, talk with Elevated about your application.
Where Liquid Adhesives Fit
Liquid adhesives are versatile options that allow you to precisely apply the substance to the substrate. Common use cases for liquid bonding agents include:
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Bonding small components with no spill over
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Automated dispensing systems
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Assembly lines where speed is a top priority
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Applications where you need even coverage
You can use a liquid adhesive in lieu of mechanical fasteners or to create a clean, uniform bond. Liquid adhesives are one of the most popular categories of bonding agents in manufacturing facilities due to the versatility they provide.
Where Sealants Fit
Sealants are a must-have supply when you need to protect joints or seams. You can also use sealants to close gaps between materials and protect internal parts from exposure to the elements. Common applications include:
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Sealing expansion joints in facilities
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Equipment housing and enclosures
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HVAC and piping systems
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Perimeter sealing for doors, windows, and panels
Sealants remain flexible, making them an ideal fit when the bonded surfaces will be exposed to movement and vibration. However, the bond is not as strong as adhesives.
Common Buying Mistakes
No matter how experienced your manufacturing team is, it can still run into challenges when selecting industrial adhesives. Here are a few common mistakes to look out for:
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Choosing based on strength alone
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Failing to account for curing conditions
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Overlooking environmental elements
While it may be tempting to order the strongest product available, flexibility and cure time are also important. You need a product that can hold up in the environmental conditions it will be exposed to, especially when high heat and humidity are at play.
Some bonding agents also require a narrow temperature and humidity window for curing, which can make your manufacturing workflow more complex.
Before placing your order, balance all of your priorities, including strength, efficiency, and reliability. The bonding agent you choose will directly impact customer satisfaction and your reputation. Choose wisely.
Build a More Reliable Adhesive and Sealant Selection Process
Elevated Industrial Solutions offers industrial adhesives and sealants for manufacturing, maintenance, and facility-use applications. Our team can help you narrow the right option based on factors such as:
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The materials involved
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Environmental factors
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Performance needs
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Preferred format (i.e., liquid, tape, or paste)
Let Elevated Industrial Solutions support your move toward better manufacturing efficiency. Contact us for guidance on buying industrial adhesives or to place your order.
FAQs
What Are Industrial Adhesives Used For?
Industrial adhesives are primarily used as bonding agents to permanently connect two substrates. These bonding agents are used in manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and facility operations. You can use industrial adhesives to supplement or replace mechanical fasteners.
What Is the Difference Between an Adhesive and a Sealant?
A sealant blocks contaminants, air, or moisture. An adhesive bonds two materials together. There are also hybrid products that both bond and seal. However, hybrid compounds typically do not perform either role as well as a specialized solution.
How Do I Choose the Right Industrial Adhesive for My Application?
First, identify what the substrates are made of (i.e., metal, wood, polymer). Next, consider what sort of environment the materials will be exposed to. Use this information to choose an adhesive that can effectively bond the materials and withstand environmental stressors, such as heat and moisture.