Dispersion Adhesives In Industry: Applications And Advancements
Adhesives play an important role in binding various materials across different industries. Over the years, dispersion adhesives have emerged as one of the most commonly used type of adhesives. In this article, we will discuss dispersion adhesives in detail - what they are, how they are made, their properties and applications.
What are Dispersion Adhesives?
Dispersion adhesives, as the name suggests, are adhesives formed by dispersing
small particles of one material into another. The dispersed or discontinuous
phase is usually a synthetic polymer such as vinyl acetate or acrylic polymer.
This polymer phase is finely ground and dispersed into an aqueous continuous
phase using dispersing agents.
The continuous phase is typically water but can also be an aqueous solution.
The dispersed polymer particles are 0.1 - 1 micron in size. Presence of
dispersion stabilizers prevents the polymer particles from agglomerating or
settling down. Common dispersion stabilizers used are polyvinyl alcohols,
cellulose ethers and polyacrylic acids.
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of dispersion adhesives involves several steps:
- Polymerization: The dispersed polymer phase such as polyvinyl acetate or
acrylic polymer is first produced through an emulsion polymerization process.
- Grinding: The freshly produced polymer is finely ground using ball mills,
sand mills or ultrasonic disintegrators to reduce the particle size.
- Dispersion: The ground polymer is then dispersed into water using high-speed
stirrers and dispersing agents to form a stable emulsion.
- Stabilization: Dispersion stabilizers such as polyvinyl alcohols are added to
prevent particle agglomeration and sedimentation.
- Formulation: Additional ingredients such as thickening agents, biocides,
plasticizers may be added depending on the end use of the adhesive.
- Packaging: The dispersion adhesive is filled into suitable containers such as
drums or cans for storage, transportation and usage.
Properties and Applications
Dispersion adhesives have some distinctive properties that make them suitable
for many applications:
- Low viscosity: They have a low viscosity even at higher solid content levels
making them easy to apply by brushing, rolling or spreading.
- Age resistance: Being water-based, they don't get affected by age or weather
conditions and retain their bonding strength for a long time.
- Heat resistance: Once dried, they form strong durable bonds that can
withstand moderate heat.
- Water resistance: Cured dispersion films are generally water resistant but
not waterproof.
- Flexibility: The bonded joints retain flexibility and strength even after
bending or stretching.
- Chemical resistance: Offer good resistance to acids, alkalis and salts.
- Non-toxic: Being water-based, they are generally low in VOCs and free from
solvents, making them environment and user-friendly.
Due to the above qualities, dispersion adhesives find wide use in woodworking,
footwear, furniture and other construction applications. Some key uses include:
- Laminating and edge-banding in woodworking industry
- Binding textiles and leather in footwear industry
- Automotive and buses interior moldings
- Paneling and surface decoration
- Mailers, file folders and paperboard application
- Wallpaper installation
- Furniture topcoating and lamination
In summary, dispersion adhesives have emerged as an important class of
water-based adhesives with excellent properties like low viscosity,
flexibility, heat and chemical resistance. Their user-friendly and eco-friendly
nature has led to wide acceptance across various applications in woodworking,
construction and other industries. Going forward, ongoing development efforts
aim to further broaden their uses while retaining sustainability.
Explore more
related article on this topic: https://www.trendingwebwire.com/innovations-in-dispersion-adhesives-bonding-for-the-future/
For More Insights On
This Topic: https://coolbio.org/monoclonal-antibody-therapeutics-revolutionizing-patient-care/
Comments
Post a Comment