Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Adhesives and sealants are two groups of formulated products that are
chemically similar but functionally different. They are made from blends of
plastic resins and synthetic rubber elastomers with certain additives used to
enhance their characteristics. Adhesive products are used to create a bond
between two different or similar materials, whereas sealants are used to
create an impenetrable barrier to gas or moisture. Various industries use
adhesives and sealants, including construction, consumer products, assembly,
packaging, labeling and transportation.
Along with the transition from conventional materials like glass, stone, wood,
and metal to lighter and more economical petroleum-based plastics, the
adhesives and sealants industry has made much progress since these
non-conventional materials need new methods of assembly and suitable bonding
components. Major factors influencing the growth of adhesives and sealants
industry include the stability of many secondary industries using its
products, the availability of raw materials, and environmental concerns.
General purpose adhesives include formaldehyde resins, starch and dextrin
adhesives, styrene-butadiene latex binders, natural rubber latex, hotmelts,
solvent based adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and inorganic
adhesives. Specialty adhesives, which are formulated for specific
applications, include polyurethane, reactive hotmelt polyurethane, epoxies,
cyanoacrylate, anaerobics, reactive acrylics, and radiation cured adhesives.
Applications for adhesives vary widely, from the use of plant starch in box
manufacturing to the use of specialty, high value adhesives in electronics.
The important types of sealants include silicones, polyurethanes, latex,
polysulfide, and polyvinyl. Construction is the main application. Silicones
and polyurethanes are increasingly being specified because of their ease of
application, high performance, and durability.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- Descriptions of various adhesives and sealants, and their current and
potential applications
- The current market status of adhesives and sealants, and forecasts of
global growth for the next 5-year period 2007 through 2012
- Technological issues, including the newest developments, and a patent
analysis
- A discussion of the raw material required for global production of
adhesives and sealants and the effect of raw material supply over production,
pricing and distribution
- An examination of major manufacturers and suppliers of adhesives and
sealants.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The primary information sources include manufacturers and suppliers of
adhesives and sealants around the world, raw material suppliers for
manufacture of these products, major users of these products, research
organizations, governmental agencies, trade associations and various equipment
suppliers. Additional secondary research of sources like databases, trade
literature, specialized journals and government statistics have been
researched while compiling this report.
ANALYST CREDENTIALS
The author is an engineer with over 40 years of varied experience in design,
production, service and administration of manufacturing units, involved in the
manufacture of weighing machines, volumetric filling machines, dynamic
balancing machines and vibration measuring and monitoring equipment. The
author has experimented and used various types of adhesives and sealants in
the production units especially in the manufacture and sealing of loadcells
used in various weighing machines and different types of balancing machines.
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