The updated and expanded second edition of the Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants brings together information from chemistry, material and surface science, and solid mechanics, offering in-depth information previously only available in extremely technical volumes. It covers structural and non-structural applications, thoroughly exploring the use of polymeric adhesives and sealants for joining or bonding metals, plastics, composites, and elastomers. New to this edition are sections on radiation curable adhesives, biologically and naturally occurring adhesives, nonconventional curing methods, nondestructive testing and failure analysis, major trends in industrial applications, and more.

State-of-the-art information is presented on the theories and fundamentals of adhesion; joint design; adhesive and sealant selection; selection of manufacturing processes, equipment, and testing and quality control methods; expected end-use properties; efficient and economical surface treatments; and much more.

From the Preface: “...[T]his edition is not only an updating of information, it also represents a somewhat broader perspective on the important subject of adhesives and sealants. I have tried to move a bit upstream and illuminate the challenges and opportunities available to both the formulator and the end-user...The formulator's job has certainly not gotten any easier in the last few years. Substrates continue to undergo significant transformations. Today's formulator is faced with the challenge of adhering to surfaces with a broad range of surface energies and to products that have only recently been developed and characterized. A competitive marketplace also necessitates the use of the most economical substrates available. These susbstrates may contain extenders and cost-reducing additives that are not compatible with the adhesives or sealant systems. Often cost-reducing changes are made without notice to the end-user or adhesive formulator...”

Target Audience: Adhesives and sealant systems formulators, design engineers, manufacturing technologists, and all other professionals concerned with this multi-disciplinary field.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Adhesives and Sealants:

Overview of Adhesives and Sealants

Theories of Adhesion

Universal Factors Contributing to Success or Failure

Bulk Properties of the Adhesive and the Interphase

Stress and Joint Design

Test Methods for Consistency and Working Properties

Tests on Adhesive Joints

Quality Control, Nondestructive Testing, and Failure Analysis

Surfaces and Surface Preparation

Primers and Adhesion Promoters

Classification Methods

Adhesive Systems:

Adhesive Formulation

Epoxy, Polyurethane, Acrylic, and Cyanoacrylate Adhesives

Other Thermosetting Adhesives

Thermoplasic Adhesives

Naturally Occurring Adhesives

Selection of Adhesives

Sealant Systems:

Sealant Formulation

Sealant Families

Selecting and Using Sealants

Methods of Setting:

Reactive Systems

Systems Based on Solvent or Water Loss

Systems Based on Hardening from the Melt

Methods of Joining Plastics Other than with Adhesives

Environment, Production, Applications:

Effects of the Environment

Production Processes and Equipment

Health, Safety, and Environmental Issues

Bonding and Sealing Specific Substrates

Major Trends in Technology and Markets

Glossary

Appendices: Other Sources of Information; Specifications and Standards; Surface Preparation Methods for Common Substrate Materials; Suppliers to the Adhesive and Sealant Industry

Index