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From hobbyists to professional users, adhesives are versatile across multiple industries and are an easy and convenient way of securing objects or materials together for a lasting bond. Here at Cromwell, we have a wide range of adhesives from leading brands such as Loctite®, 3M™, and Evo-stik. Find more details and helpful links below to help you shop our range.

What are adhesives?

The term "adhesive" refers to a substance that is designed to bond two surfaces or objects together. Adhesives can be broken down into different types of compounds, natural and synthetic, but adhesives are the umbrella term used to describe these substances.

When are adhesives used?

Adhesives are used recreationally, by crafters, and DIYers, as well as professionally. Adhesives can be useful across almost all industries including manufacturing, carpentry, plumbing, automotive and aerospace. Wherever a firm, strong bond is required, there is an adhesive to suit your requirements and provide resilience and longevity.

Tips and Considerations when choosing an adhesive

• Types of Materials to be bonded -
Metals and composites, plastics, wood, ceramic, glass or electrical components typically have different surface energy, making them more or less adhesive-friendly. Depending on the materials that will be bonded they may require a primer or a specially formulated adhesive to bond effectively. Surface treatment, such as roughening or cleaning may also enhance adhesion.

Check the selection of Adhesives designed for:
- Metals and Composites
- Plastics, Fibre-Plastics, Polyamides and Rubber
- Wood
- Bricks, Cement, Ceramic and Stone
- Glass, Mirrors, Windshields
- Electrical Components

• Application - It's always best to consider what and where your adhesive will be used when selecting the most appropriate adhesive for your needs. For example, if the adhesive is required on an object that will be subject to particularly low or high temperatures or in an environment where it will be exposed to moisture, chemicals or solvents, it's best to check what kind of adhesive is most resilient in these conditions.

• Surface Preparation - Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry, and free from contaminants. Proper cleaning and surface roughening can significantly enhance adhesive performance, especially on metals, composites, and plastics.

• Consistent Pressure - For some projects, it is required to apply uniform pressure across the entire surface to ensure optimal contact and prevent air bubbles, which can weaken the bond. Use clamping when necessary, especially for structural applications.

• Curing time - The curing time of the adhesive can vary depending on the type. Some adhesives are designed to be quick-curing, while others have significant curing times. When allowing an adhesive to cure, it's important to create the correct environment for it. The packaging of your chosen adhesive will have more information regarding the suitable temperature, humidity, and thickness of the adhesive to provide the best hold.

Safety Measures

When working with industrial adhesives, a few simple safety steps can go a long way in protecting both your health and the environment. In most cases, it's will be important to prevent exposure to harmful substances, and the following measures can help reduce risks:
• Practice safe handling techniques to avoid or minimise contact with harmful substances and prevent leaks or spills. Ensure Adhesive products are stored securely.
• Maintain good ventilation throughout the workspace to keep air quality safe.
• Some adhesives contain chemicals that falls under REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. Visit our UK REACH page for more information and expertise.
• For certain tasks, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, aprons, and eye protection. For food handling, make sure gloves are food-grade. Check the recomendations from Safety Experts Guides
• Food-Safe industry requirements - when bonding in food processing or packaging applications, check if the product certified as food-safe, compliant with relevant UK regulations.

Adhesives jargon buster

We want to make it easy for you, so here are some key terms that will help you understand our range of adhesives and their specific applications a little better.

What does curing time refer to?

In simple terms, the term "curing" refers to the process of the adhesive fully crystalising. It is a chemical reaction that changes a liquid to a solid. The time that this process takes differs based upon a number of aspects such as the temperature of the environment, the humidity and the overall thickness of the adhesive used. It's advisable to check the curing time and to follow the instructions on the packaging of your product to guarantee an optimum strong bond and create an ambient environment until your adhesive is cured.

Okay, so is this the same as drying?

Although the outcome looks ad feels the same - the adhesive becoming a solid - the actual process of curing is different from drying. Drying refers to the loss of liquid from an adhesive. There is no chemical change in the adhesive from this process, which is unlike the process of curing, in which a chemical process does occur.

FAQs

What are the main types of adhesive?

Although there are more specific, granular types of adhesives, the bulk of structural adhesives can be split into three main categories: cyanoacrylate, epoxy, and resin. The differences between the three are outlined below:
Cyanoacrylate - This type of adhesive is a single component adhesive, manufactured from one compound. They are fast curing by nature and provide a strong hold, but are not particularly resistant to low or high temperatures or solvents.

Epoxy - This type of adhesive is most often made up of two parts; a resin and a hardener, both of which are designed to cure at room temperature in a pre-set ratio. Once the two components are mixed, the adhesive then has a specific pot life, after which time it cannot be used, as its structural integrity will have been compromised and it will not work effectively. Epoxies can also be formulated by a one-component system, but these still require an external catalyst such as light, heat or moisture to effectively cure and thus create a structural adhesive bond. Epoxies generally have a wider tolerance for varying temperature than cyanoacrylate adhesives, but are more difficult to use due to their two part mixture and require a longer curing and bonding time.

Resin - Similarly to epoxy based adhesives, resin-based adhesives form part of a two component bonding system. Whilst epoxy adhesives contain resin, resinous adhesives contain multiple kinds of resins to produce a unique and separate type of adhesive. Depending on the type of resin present, these adhesives will have differing advantages and disadvantages. For example, polyester and epoxy resins will yellow over time, whereas silicone and polyurethane based resin adhesives do not often cure well in environments that are humid.

What is the difference between adhesives and glues?

Generally, the terms "glue" and "adhesive" are used interchangeably to refer to a substance that binds together two surfaces or planes on an object. However, on a technicality, the difference between the two is that glue is manufactured from natural substances such as plant and animal by-products, whereas adhesives are most commonly synthetic.

Other product categories, that help enhance the bonding effect.
Activators - see the range
Primers - see the range
Accessories - see the range