Adhesive Glossary – Terms Explained

Adhesive Glossary – Adhesive Terms Simply Explained

Assembly adhesive – Strong construction adhesive for permanent bonds on various materials.
Acrylic adhesive – A strong adhesive based on acrylic, ideal for glass, metal and plastics.
Adhesion – The ability of an adhesive to stick to a surface. It depends on the surface properties and the chemical composition of the adhesive.

Bonding – The ability of an adhesive to adhere to a surface.
Butyl adhesive – A sealant based on butyl rubber that remains permanently elastic and provides good sealing (e.g. for bodywork and window sealing).
Bond line thickness – The gap between two surfaces to be bonded – influences adhesive selection.
Bond strength – Measure of the strength of a bonded joint under tensile or shear load.

Chemical curing – Hardening through a chemical reaction (e.g. 2-component adhesives or UV adhesives).
Casein glue – Also known as milk glue, protein-based and often used in woodworking.
Cyanoacrylate – Fast-curing super glue, ideal for many materials such as plastic, ceramic and metal.
Curing time – The period during which an adhesive reaches its final strength. It may differ from setting time, especially for multi-component adhesives.
Crosslinking – Chemical process during curing where molecular bonds form between polymers.
Contact adhesive – Adhesive applied to both sides, allowed to dry, and bonded by pressure.
Cohesion – Internal strength of an adhesive determining how strongly its molecules hold together. High cohesion ensures stable bonds.

Drying time – Time required for an adhesive to become solid.
Dispersion adhesive – Water-based adhesive, often used for paper, wood or textiles.
Dispensing system – Device or mechanism for precise application of adhesives, e.g. in industrial production.

Epoxy adhesive – Extremely strong 2-component adhesive for durable and waterproof bonds.
Elasticity – Measure of an adhesive’s flexibility after curing.

Flash-off time – Waiting time between applying an adhesive and joining the parts (e.g. relevant for contact adhesives).
Film formation – Process in which an adhesive forms a solid layer after application, typical for water-based systems.
Fabric adhesive – Special adhesive for bonding fabrics and textiles.

Hardening mechanism – Process by which an adhesive changes from liquid to solid (e.g. evaporation, reaction, cooling).
Hot melt adhesive – Adhesive that melts when heated and hardens upon cooling.
Heat resistance – Ability of an adhesive to withstand high temperatures.
Hybrid adhesive – Combination of different adhesive technologies (e.g. silane-modified polymers) combining multiple advantages.

Industrial adhesive – High-performance adhesives for professional applications in industry and trade.
Insulation adhesive – Special adhesive for fixing insulation materials.

Joint sealant – An elastic adhesive designed specifically for sealing joints and cracks.

Load capacity – Indicates how much weight or pressure a bonded joint can withstand.

Multi-component adhesive – Adhesive consisting of two or more components that react when mixed.

Natural adhesive – Eco-friendly adhesive made from natural raw materials such as starch or casein.

Paste-like adhesive – Thick adhesive that does not run and is suitable for vertical applications.
Polyolefin adhesive – Special adhesive for difficult plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene.
PU adhesive (polyurethane adhesive) – Strong adhesive with high flexibility and resistance.
Primer – A preparatory coating applied to improve adhesion, especially on difficult surfaces like glass or plastic.
Peel strength – Resistance of a bond against peeling forces.
Pot life – Time during which a multi-component adhesive can be processed after mixing before it begins to cure.
Plastic adhesive – Adhesive specifically developed for bonding plastics.

Reactive adhesive – Adhesive that cures through a chemical reaction (e.g. epoxy or PU adhesives).
Repositionability – Ability to adjust bonded parts before curing.
Resistance – The ability of an adhesive to resist moisture, heat or chemicals.

Solid content – The proportion of non-volatile components in the adhesive; relevant for bonding strength and shrinkage during drying.
Super glue – Ultra-strong adhesive that cures within seconds.
Silane-modified polymer adhesive (SMP) – Elastic, moisture-curing adhesive for construction and industry.
Spray adhesive – Adhesive in spray form for quick, even application on large surfaces.
Surface activation – Method to improve adhesion by chemically or physically treating the surface (e.g. cleaning, roughening, priming).
Surface preparation – Measures taken to optimally prepare surfaces for bonding.
Solvent-based adhesive – Contains volatile solvents that evaporate during drying, leaving a solid bond.
Solvent-free adhesive – Environmentally friendly adhesive without volatile solvents.
Sealant adhesive – Special adhesive for sealing joints, gaps and cracks.
Setting time – The time an adhesive needs to cure and reach its full bonding strength.
Service temperature – The temperature range in which an adhesive performs optimally.

Thermoplastic adhesive – Adhesive that softens again when heated.
Thixotropy – Property of becoming more fluid under stress and returning to a thicker state at rest.
Temperature resistance – Indicates the temperatures an adhesive can withstand without losing performance.
Tensile strength – Resistance of a bonded joint to tensile forces.
Two-component adhesive (2K adhesive) – Adhesive consisting of two separate components that react when mixed.

UV adhesive – Adhesive that cures under UV light, especially used in glass processing.

Waterproof adhesive – Adhesive that retains its strength even when exposed to water.
Wet tack – Ability of an adhesive to provide initial adhesion while still wet.
Working time – Period during which an adhesive can still be applied and adjusted.