Adhesives and Gap Fillers

Adhesives are non-metallic materials which join solids (adherents) to each other by adhesion and cohesion, without causing any significant changes in the solids to be joined. The cohesion derives from internal, intermolecular forces and the molecular size of the adhesive. The adhesion refers to the molecular forces between the solid surfaces of the adherents and a second phase, the adhesive, which may consist of individual particles such as droplets or powders, or a continuous liquid or solid film. The adhesion of adhesives is effected primarily by Van-der-Waal’s forces, but also by electrostatic forces.