Advantages of Adhesives

The major reasons for the widespread use of adhesives are as follows:

• No weakening of the component due to the presence of holes. Also providing a smooth finish due to lack of rivet heads.
• No local stress raisers, which are present with widely-pitched conventional fasteners (bolts, rivets etc.).
• Can be used to join dissimilar materials and materials of awkward shapes and of different thickness, as riveting and welding are not always possible on very thin/thick materials.
• Although the strength per unit area may be inferior to a mechanical or welded joint, adhesive bonding takes place over a greater continuous area. Therefore, it gives comparable or increased strength, coupled with improved stiffness.
• Adhesive and sealants provide electrical insulation and prevent dissimilar-metal corrosion between different materials.
• Leak-proof fuel and gas joints can be achieved.
• The elastic properties of some adhesives gives flexibility to the joint and may help to damp out vibrations.
• Heat-sensitive materials can be joined.