3M Bonding Solutions

Adhesion Science

The principal requirement of an adhesive bond is to connect two materials while withstanding the stresses they will be subjected to in their use. Using adhesives is not as intuitive as it may seem: adhesion science is a multidisciplinary field requiring a knowledge of chemistry and physics, mechanics and rheology, design and engineering.

Surface Science

The chemical composition of a surface dictates whether an adhesive will make adequate contact, allowing for a bond.
Unique factors like cleanliness and surface texture affect adhesive performance.
Surface science examines these and other characteristics that impact the surface of a substrate.

Adhesive Chemistry

The unique adhesive chemistry of an individual adhesive will, in part, determine it’s suitability for a given bonding application.
Not only will chemistry play a role in an adhesive’s ability to bond to the surface, but different chemistries will respond differently to stresses – loads, temperatures or environments.

Joint Geometry

Joint Geometry, or the shape of a bond, will impact performance of an adhesive bond, as will the direction and intensity of the stresses.
Not only do adhesives respond to stress differently than mechanical or thermal fasteners, but different substrates and adhesive chemistries respond differently as well.