Adhesive bonding is a construction method that is part of the group of special processes that involve the union of substrates by means of an adhesive that forms a joint.

In the last few decades, adhesive bonding has found an increasing number of uses in industry, integrated with the productive system to such highly effective use as to become a ‘Golden Standard’.

In order to fulfil its potential, it must involve painstaking characterisation of materials, design planning, the dimensioning and the validation of the structures involved, and the development and employment of various application techniques, always paying the greatest attention to the traceability of every phase, in order to ensure their effective quality.

For bonded joints, the design and dimensioning of the structures to be bonded are fundamental activities which require specific laboratory activities, referring to the objective contextual conditions affecting adhesive application.

The joint’s behaviour during its service life, and the aging of bonded joints are frequently key issues that drive the challenge to obtain increased adhesion and/or protection against aging… this is why it is often necessary to pre-treat substrate surfaces.

 The substrates are cleaned and activated or modified to permit the adhesives to bond with the substrates with optimum long-term stability.

The characterization of the adhesives and joints bonded together are – through a wide range of mechanical, physical and chemical testing methods – the point of departure for every adhesion bonding project.

Good planning and design, suitable experimentation, valid substrates, well-identified adhesives, optimised process, well-defined controls… these are the vital links in a chain that is completed by a correct implementation of the bonding application.

This last phase includes the carrying out of precise Procedures, Labour Instructions and Personnel training, aimed at creating reliable, durable and secure joints.