When manufacturers are looking to use adhesives in an assembly operation, three steps must enter into the decision process: suitability, compatibility, and capability.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a high-performance plastic used in a variety of industries, particularly for its heat and chemical resistance and “non-stick” properties. However, PTFE has a low surface energy that does not allow adhesives to wet its surface and subsequently bond.

Called thermoset polyesters, these materials are glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyesters. They are also often referred to as “sheet molding compounds” (SMCs), “fiber-reinforced plastics” (FRPs), or simply “fiberglass.”

The ideal pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) delivers exactly the right amount of bonding at the lowest cost. Choosing the right adhesive hasn’t always been easy, however. We have all heard stories about adhesives failing prematurely, as well as how costly those failures can be to product manufacturers.

Recent innovations in the electronics industry, such as hybrid vehicles, mobile electronic devices, medical applications, digital cameras, computers, defense telecommunications, and augmented reality headsets, touch nearly every part of our lives.

I realize that the meter/mix equipment can be a major inconvenience. Adhesives come in two forms, namely two component or one component. Two-component adhesives are mainly epoxies, reactive acrylics, or polyurethanes.