Adhesives segments

One adhesives area which is expected to move heavily towards water-borne systems is the contact adhesives segment. Both waterborne neoprene and acrylic based systems are expected to contribute to this growth. A contact adhesive is a material which, when coated and allowed to partially dry on two surfaces, may have little residual surface tack (to the touch) but forms a strong joint when the two coated substrates are brought together under low to moderate pressure. 

A Methylolhydantoins. l,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyIhydantoia [6440-58-0] is used extensively as a preservative in cosmetic and industrial appHcations, and carries EPA registration for the industrial segment. It is available in soHd and in aqueous solution forms, including low free formaldehyde versions of the latter. A related derivative, l,3-bis(hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethyIhydantoia [26850-24-8] is used in the manufacture of high temperature polyesters, polyurethanes, and coatings, offering improved heat resistance, uv stabiUty, flexibiUty, and adhesion. 

Studies have considered the effect of crystallinity on the performance of CR adhesives (97), on segmental mobiUty as determined by nqr studies (101), on strain induced property changes (102), and on relaxation processes (103). 

Formerly Mobay. Includes some polymers with aUphatic polycarbonate segments (trade named Desmopan). For hot-melt adhesives. 

Adhesives, Coatings, and Sealants. Eor these appHcations, styrenic block copolymers must be compounded with resins and oils (Table 10) to obtain the desired properties (56—58). Materials compatible with the elastomer segments soften the final product and give tack, whereas materials compatible with the polystyrene segments impart hardness. The latter are usually styrenic resins with relatively high softening points. Materials with low softening points are to be avoided, as are aromatic oils, since they plasticize the polystyrene domains and reduce the upper service temperature of the final products. 

In the adhesives market growth has been slower than in other segments. Increasing competition from other materials, most notably polyurethanes and acryhcs, is affecting the market (see Acrylic ester polymers Urethane polymers). 

In numerous applications of polymeric materials multilayers of films are used. This practice is found in microelectronic, aeronautical, and biomedical applications to name a few. Developing good adhesion between these layers requires interdiffusion of the molecules at the interfaces between the layers over size scales comparable to the molecular diameter (tens of nm). In addition, these interfaces are buried within the specimen. Aside from this practical aspect, interdififlision over short distances holds the key for critically evaluating current theories of polymer difllision. Theories of polymer interdiffusion predict specific shapes for the concentration profile of segments across the interface as a function of time. Interdiffiision studies on bilayered specimen comprised of a layer of polystyrene (PS) on a layer of perdeuterated (PS) d-PS, can be used as a model system that will capture the fundamental physics of the problem. Initially, the bilayer will have a sharp interface, which upon annealing will broaden with time. 

A chemical property of silicones is the possibility of building reactivity on the polymer [1,32,33]. This allows the building of cured silicone networks of controlled molecular architectures with specific adhesion properties while maintaining the inherent physical properties of the PDMS chains. The combination of the unique bulk characteristics of the silicone networks, the surface properties of the PDMS segments, and the specificity and controllability of the reactive groups, produces unique materials useful as adhesives, protective encapsulants, coatings and sealants. 

Once cured, PDMS networks are essentially made of dimethylsiloxane polymeric chains crosslinked with organic linkages. The general and inherent molecular properties of the PDMS polymers are therefore conferred to the silicone network. Low surface energy and flexibility of siloxane segments are two inherent properties very useful in adhesion technology. 

Urethane structural adhesives have a morphology that is inverse to the toughened epoxy just described. The urethanes have a rubber continuous phase, with glass transition temperatures of approximately —50°C. This phase is referred to as the .soft segment . Often, a discontinuous plastic phase forms within the soft segment, and that plastic phase may even be partially crystalline. This is referred to as the hard segment . A representation of the morphology is shown in Fig. 3 [34]. 

The role of crystallizable soft segments in urethane adhesives... 

The most common non-crystallizing soft segment in urethane adhesives is based on poly(oxypropylene) polyols, shown in Table 2. Most non-crystalline soft... 

The soft segments made from asymmetrical (amorphous) polyols are important for two-component structural adhesives and one-component moisture-curing adhesives. These materials are applied and usually cured at room temperature. 

Moisture-curing hot melts are a small but fast growing segment of the urethane adhesive market. They are used mostly in construction and furniture assembly applications. Recent applications include RV sidewall assembly and other OEM automotive applications. Smaller applications include bookbinding and footwear. A typical adhesive is shown below ... 

Most blocked isocyanates are solids at room temperature and thus may require the use of solvent. The unblocking temperatures are often fairly high and are energy intensive. Furthermore, certain blocking agents may qualify as volatile organic compounds. For these reasons, the blocked isocyanate adhesives occupy a small, but important segment of the adhesive marketplace. 

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