Adhesive Encyclopedia Glossary – Adhesive Terms Explained Simply

A

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

B

• Butyl adhesive – Sealant based on butyl rubber that remains permanently elastic and provides good sealing, e.g., for car body and window seals.
• Bonding – The ability of an adhesive to adhere to a surface.
• Bonding gap – The distance between two surfaces to be bonded – influences the choice of suitable adhesive.
• Bond strength – A measure of the strength of a bonded joint under tensile or shear stress.

C

• Chemical curing – Curing through a chemical reaction, e.g., in 2-component adhesives or UV adhesives.
• Cyanoacrylate – Fast-curing superglue, ideal for many materials such as plastic, ceramic, and metal.
• Curing time – The period during which an adhesive reaches its final strength. It can differ from the setting time, especially with multi-component adhesives.
• Contact adhesive – Adhesive that is applied on both sides, dries, and adheres upon pressing.
• Cohesion – The internal strength of an adhesive, determining how strongly the molecules within the adhesive itself hold together. High cohesion ensures stable bonds.
• Casein glue – Also known as milk glue, protein-based and often used in woodworking.
• Cross-linking – Chemical process in adhesive curing where molecular bonds form between polymers.

D

• 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 manufacturing.
• Drying time – The time an adhesive needs to become solid.

E

• Epoxy adhesive – Extremely strong 2-component adhesive for durable and waterproof bonds.
• Elasticity – A measure of the flexibility of an adhesive after curing.

F

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

H

• Hot-melt adhesive – Adhesive that melts when heated and hardens upon cooling.
• Hybrid adhesive – Combination of different adhesive technologies (e.g., silane-modified polymers) that combines the advantages of several systems.
• Heat resistance – The ability of an adhesive to withstand high temperatures.
• Hot-melt adhesive – Adhesive that melts when heated and quickly creates a solid bond.

I

• Industrial adhesive – High-performance adhesives for professional applications in industry and trade.
• Insulating adhesive – Special adhesive for attaching insulating materials.

J

L

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

M

• Multi-component adhesive – Adhesive consisting of two or more components that react only after mixing.

N

• Natural adhesive – Environmentally friendly adhesive made from natural raw materials such as starch or casein.

O

P

• Pasty adhesive – Thick adhesive that does not run, suitable for vertical applications.
• Polyolefin adhesive – Special adhesive for difficult-to-bond plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
• PU adhesive (polyurethane adhesive) – Strong adhesive with high flexibility and resistance.
• Primer – A base coating applied to a surface to improve adhesive bonding. Especially useful for difficult materials such as glass or plastic.
• Plastic adhesive – Adhesive developed specifically for bonding plastics.
• Peel strength – Resistance of a bonded joint to peeling forces.
• Pot life – The period during which a multi-component adhesive can be processed after mixing before it begins to cure. A short pot life requires quick work.

R

• Reactive adhesive – Adhesive that cures through a chemical reaction (e.g., epoxy or PU adhesive).
• Repositionability – The ability to realign bonded parts before curing.
• Resistance – An adhesive’s resistance to moisture, heat, or chemicals.

S

• Superglue – Ultra-strong adhesive that cures within seconds.
• Silane-modified polymer adhesive (SMP) – Elastic, moisture-curing adhesive for construction and industrial applications.
• Spray adhesive – Adhesive in spray form for quick, even application on large surfaces.
• Setting time – The time an adhesive needs to cure and achieve its full bonding strength.
• Sealant adhesive – Special adhesive for sealing joints, gaps, and cracks.
• Solid content – The proportion of non-volatile components in the adhesive; relevant for bonding strength and shrinkage behavior during drying.
• Service temperature – The temperature range in which an adhesive functions optimally.
• Solvent-based adhesive – Contains volatile solvents that evaporate during drying, leaving a solid bond.
• Solvent-free adhesive – Environmentally friendly adhesive without volatile solvents.
• Surface activation – A method of improving adhesion by chemical or physical treatment of the surface, e.g., cleaning, roughening, or priming.
• Surface preparation – Measures to optimally prepare surfaces for bonding.
• Solidification mechanism – The process by which an adhesive changes from liquid to solid (e.g., evaporation, reaction, cooling).

T

• Thermoplastic adhesive – Adhesive that can be softened again with heat (e.g., hot-melt glue).
• Thixotropy – Property of an adhesive to become more fluid under mechanical stress and more viscous at rest.
• Temperature resistance – Indicates which temperatures an adhesive can withstand without impairment.
• Tensile strength – Resistance of a bonded joint against tensile stress.
• Two-component adhesive (2K adhesive) – Adhesive consisting of two separate components that react when mixed.

U

• UV adhesive – Adhesive that cures under UV light and is particularly used in glass processing.

V

• Viscosity – The flowability of an adhesive, from thin-liquid to pasty.

W

• Waterproof adhesive – Adhesive that maintains its bonding strength even in contact with water.
• Wet tack – The ability of an adhesive to show initial adhesion even when still wet.