In manufacturing, adhesive bonding takes many forms, but adhesion science principles are always the same. Adhesion science is a multidisciplinary field that studies interfaces' formation, characterization, and behavior where two dissimilar materials come together. It focuses on understanding the fundamental adhesion forces and intermolecular mechanisms that govern how these interfaces adhere and change over time.
Regardless of the task, be it welding metal adhesive joints, joining gaskets with industrial sealants, coating medical devices, printing on polymer surfaces, or painting cars, strong adhesion hinges on understanding and controlling three key elements.
The three things that must be controlled for adhesion to be successful are:
- The composition of the adhesive, coating, ink, or paint
- The application of the adhesive, coating, ink, or paint
- The quality of the bond surface