A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q     R     S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

 

A

Accelerator: A small amount of this material is used to speed up the hardening process of a two-part adhesive 

Adhesive: Substance used to adhere materials

APAO (Amorphous Poly-Alpha-Olefin):  A type of bulk hot melt that is soft, tacky and flexible. This hot melt offers long open times from 30 seconds up to 4 minutes and is great for bonding PE, PP, PET along with non-woven materials. 

B

Bead: A application method of a sealant or compound such as, hot melt bead, caulking bead, etc.

Bond: Joining materials

Booger Glue: Another name for fugitive glue, this adhesive stays permananty tacky and is most know for being the credit card glue.

C

Cure Time: Time necessary to complete the cure process

Cyanoacrylate Adhesive: Commonly known as Superglue, cyanoacrylate is a one-part adhesive that comes is a variety of viscosities, cure speeds and performance properties to meet your applications needs. This special type of acylic cures through reaction with moisture held on the surface that are bonded. 

D

E

Encapsulating: To enclose a component in adhesives, common in the electronic industry for protecting sensitive components.

Epoxy Adhesive: Comes in both one part or two part, this adhesive is able to cure in room temperature or can be heat curable.  This is a structural adhesive that creates strong bonds, comes in a variety of cure speeds and a have great gap filling properties. 

F

Fugitive Glue: This type of adhesive is peelable and commonly used for adhering credit cards, coupons or samples to a substrate. 

G

Glue: First this world was associated with adhesive formulated from animal products like hides and bones. Today it is used indiscrimately to mean an adhesive animal, plant or synthetic base

Green Time (Open Time): This period happens in between application and solidification of the adhesive, allow you to adjust and position parts. 

H

Hot Melt: A fast drying thermoplastic adhesive that is applied when in a molten state. Once it is applied it cools and solidifies forming a bond.This adhesive can be dispensed using a hot glue gun or by dispensing equipment (bulk tanks, stationary machines, wheel coaters, etc).

Hot Tack: When hot melt offers holding power in it's liquid hot state.

I

J

Joint gap: Space between substrates that wil be assebled

K

L

Low Pressure Molding (LPM): Traditionally, done with epoxy, but hot melt can also be used for encapsulating and protecint electornic components and assemblies. (For smaller scale potting and encapsulating check out Polyamide Hot Glue Sticks

M

Methyl Methacrylate Adhesive (MMA): Adhesive engineered for structural bonding of nearly all thermoplastics, metals, and composite materials. They offer exceptional bond strength and high weather resistance & are extremely durable adhesives.  Generally, these adhesives are used in for transportation, solid surface, industrial, construction and marine applications. 

MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet

N

Nozzle: The point where adhesives are extruded from the gun.  Nozzles control the adhesive's volumen, shape and direction; nozzles can have a single or multiple orifices.

O

Open Time (Green Time): Period when you can adjust pieces before adhesive hardens or solidifies.

P

Polyethylene (PE): The most common type of plastic. Examples include plastic bag, bottles, plastic films, etc.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): A Polyolefin substrate

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA): The most widely used glue it is also known as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, Elmer's glue or PVA glue.

Pottting (Encapsulating): Often used in the electronic industry for protection sensitive components by enclosing them in adhesive. (Check out Low Pressure Molding Hot Melt or Polyamide Glue Sticks)

Porous Substrate: A material that is permeable by air, water, etc.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA): This specfice type of hot melt adhesive has a permanent open time. It will always maintain a tacky finish. Generally, pressure sensitive adhesives are used for product assembly and marketing purposes.

PSI: Pounds per square inch

Q

R

Roll Coater: A machine used to apply liquid to the surface of a part. Commonly used to apply liquid adhesives, but also apply varnish, clear finishing coats, paints and oils.   

S

Shear Strength: The force that is being applied to a cross-sectional area. Shear strength is expressed in Pascals (Pa)

Shelf Life: The amount of time in which a packaged adhesive can be stored in specified temperature conditions and remain suitable for use.

Softening Point: The temperature when an adhesive goes from a solid to liquid form.

Specific Gravity: Ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water for a liquid or solid (and air for a gas)

Substrate: A type of material, generally in the adhesive industry refers to the materials your bonding.

T

Thermoplastic: A polymer or copolymer that after being heated softens then hardens by cooling. Example: Hot glue or hot melt

U

UV: Ultraviolet light

V

Viscosity: The measure of a fluid resisting to cause the fluid to flow (measured in centipoise or cps)

W

Working Time: The period of time a adhesive remains suitable for use after mixing with a catalyst, solvent, or other compounding ingreadients.  

X

Y

Z