Adhesives and lubricants form a category of products used in different industries and uses, such as the automotive and construction industries, manufacturing, and electronics. These are two significant additives that supply bonds and decrease friction that create the allocation of various systems and componentsIn this blog, we will let you know the types and properties of adhesive & lubricant and how to select the suitable adhesive & lubricant for your work. This blog will help you learn more about how you can choose between an adhesive or a lubricant and the use of these products when faced with a particular project.
Adhesives
Adhesives are bonded materials that are used to join at least two objects with the aid of a joining operation. Thus they have found their application in many industries and areas because of their high potential bonding characteristics. The adhesives can be effectively used in place of mechanical fasteners like screws, rivets, and nails, and in certain applications they outperform these fasteners.The adhesive can also be classified according to the type of bonding mechanism as follows: Below are the most common types of adhesives:
A. Epoxy Adhesives
Epoxy adhesives, belonging to the group of thermosetting plastics, are widely used in industry because of their high bond strength, long service time, and versatility. An epoxy resin and a hardener mixture are used to form these adhesives by combining the epoxy and hardener to make a strong, covalently bound bond that can bond many different types of materials, such as plastics, metals, wood, and ceramics.Epoxy adhesive is usually applied where high stresses of bond are there and where resistance to high temperature, chemicals, moisture, etc., are desired. They can also be used in potting and encapsulation, where they shield electrical components from elements.
B. Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
Cyanoacrylates, also known as super glues, encompasses a series of acrylic monomers that undergo rapid polymerization on contact with moisture to furnish a high-strength adhesive bond to a wide range of substrates, including plastics, metals, rubber, wood, and glass. These materials cure within several seconds to a few minutes when in contact with water, giving very high bond strength.Due to the high reactivity of cyanoacrylates, they are perfect for connecting small components, for instance, jewelry, electronics, and even metal parts. Nevertheless, they can be less preferred in some applications where high-temperature resistance or coalescing of two or more materials with disparate properties is required.
C. Polyurethane Adhesives
Polyurethane adhesives are a type of adhesive that provides flexibility, high thermal stability, and a good bond to all types of materials such as plastics, metals, and wood. They are also moisture resistant, hence useful where the operating conditions include high humidity.Polyurethane adhesives will bond well to most substrates and, depending on the formulation, may have some flexibility – so the structure may move a little without the bond coming undone. It therefore makes them suitable for usage in sealing applications, gasketing, and general bonding.
D. Silicone Adhesives
The silicone adhesive is used when there is a need for flexibility, resistance to moisture, and high temperature. They are useful in surface bonding of many substrates such as glass, metal, plastics, as well as rubber.Many silicone adhesives are designed for flexible applications such as sealing, potting, and encapsulation. It also illustrates that they can be encased in heavy-duty climates of temperatures, making them suitable for the automobile, space, and electronics industries.
E. Anaerobic Adhesives
Screws, nuts, and bolts are some of the best examples of metal parts that require anaerobic adhesives for bonding. These adhesive systems cure anaerobically, creating a powerful bond capable of holding high-torque connections and remaining free from coming loose because of vibration or temperature changes.Anaerobic adhesives are ideal for use in applications where metal components are to be connected firmly, as in the locking of threads, retention of bearings, and sealing of threads.
Lubricants
Lubricants are materials that are used to reduce friction, heat, and wear of the surfaces that come in contact during movement. Lubricants can therefore be incorporated into engines, gears, bearings, and other machines. Lubricants can be classified as follows: Below are the most common types of lubricants:
A. Oil-Based Lubricants
Semi-synthetics, or better still, oil-based lubricants, are commonly used in engines, gears, and bearings, among others. It is mainly made from petroleum or artificial oils and has different viscosity to meet various complexities.The category of oils used in oil-based lubricants gives very good protection against wear and corrosion, coupled with its stability to handle heavy loads and high temperatures. Though, they can become out of control and need constant attention such as changing filters and adding water.
B. Grease-Based Lubricants
Grease is also used in equipment that demands a seal system, like bearings, gears, linkages, and so on. They include a heavy paraffinic base stock along with optional thickeners, including lithium, calcium, or aluminum-containing soap.The performance benefits of using grease-based lubricants are increased wear protection, corrosion/lubricant and contaminant exclusion, and sealing capability. However, they may be a little challenging to apply and remove when compared to oil-based fluids.
C. Solid Lubricants
When these types of lubricants cannot be used, such as at high temperatures, in a vacuum, or where space is limited, these are the types of lubricants in question. These are generally graphite, molybdenum disulfide, or polytetrafluoroethylene, and these give very good anti-wear and anti-corrosion performance.Due to their consistency and thickness, solid lubricants are available as dry films, pastes, or coatings, and they can provide very satisfactory performance over a broad temperature range. However, they may be somewhat less effective and may have to be reapplied on the surface at some point in time.
D. Water-Based Lubricants
Aqueous or water-soluble products are often used in those applications where risks of leakage and subsequent environmental impact exist. These lubricants include biodegradable lubricants, non-hazardous lubricants, and lubricants with low volatility, hence recommended for use.Aqueous films offer some of the best anti-wear and anti-corrosive protection and are compatible with most industrial applications. Nonetheless, they cannot give the same extent of lubrication as that given by the oil or grease type as they may reduce their performance when used in high temperature or high load conditions.
How to Select the Proper Adhesive or Lubricant for Your Project
When selecting an adhesive or lubricant for your project, consider the following factors:
A. Material Compatibility
This is very important to make sure that the adhesive or lubricant that is used is elastic to the bonded or lubricated material. For instance, some of the adhesives may not stick to some plastics, and some of the lubricants may decompose when used at high temperatures.
B. Environmental Conditions
Also contributing to adhesive or lubricant failure are the conditions under which the material will be placed, for example, the temperature, humidity, and chemicals. Select a product that is not affected under these conditions or whose performance is not compromised.
C. Application Requirements
Identify the precise needs of a particular application, for instance, bonding strength, endurance or elasticity, heat or chemical tolerance, among others. Select a product that will address the above qualities if you are to get a good performance.
D. Cost and Availability
Look at the cost and affordability of the adhesive or lubricant to the environment. It is good to go for a high-quality product, but it should also be within one's budget and easily accessible.
Conclusion
Adhesives and lubricants are sensitive materials that are used in various industries and in their different applications to ensure a tight connection and minimum friction. Familiarity with the different categories of adhesives and lubricants, as well as their characteristics, will put you in a position to choose the right products for your work, knowing the reason for using the products will be in effective terms.When choosing an adhesive or lubricant, the choice depends on the compatibility of the material, environmental conditions, usage of the product, and price. With these factors in mind, you will be able to correctly choose the proper adhesive or lubricant for a given project and ensure the work's success.