Traditional Fastening vs. Adhesive Bonding
Welding is the industry standard for heavy-duty assembly but requires expertise and may not work if the substrates are different (e.g. aluminium to steel). Bolts allow precise torque control and are removable or replaceable; however, they also require holes to be drilled in the substrate. Screws are commonly used but may not withstand much stress and can be subject to corrosion. Rivets are another popular option but require access from both sides to complete the assembly, and they work best with similar substrates. Solder is used for electrical conductivity but generally provides a weak mechanical bond.
In contrast, adhesives and tapes can provide multiple benefits as an alternative to the traditional methods. For example, liquid adhesives can flow and conform to the shape of the bond area to fill gaps. They typically provide strong bonds. Tapes provide a consistent bond thickness and size. They offer immediate handling strength to enable easy assembly. Both come in multiple formats providing design and production flexibility. In addition to formats, tapes and adhesives come in a variety of strengths to match a wide range of substrate and design needs.
Industrial adhesives and tapes provide key benfits over other industrial assembly methods, including:
- Eliminate drilling and holes to reduce labor costs and stress concentration
- Use thinner, lightweight materials to reduce product weight and energy usage
- Distribute stress evenly across the bond to optimise performance
- Bond dissimilar materials to enable new designs and prevent corrosion
- Bond and seal simultaneously to eliminate process steps
- Reduce vibration in final product to enhance customer experience
