Rubber/Elastomer Bonding Adhesives
Elastomers like natural rubber, silicone, and neoprene offer myriad material benefits, lending them to applications across diverse industries. Their durability, elasticity, and resistance capabilities make them compatible with even rugged applications or harsh environmental conditions.
When using rubber or elastomers in your assemblies, adhesives can play an impactful role in successfully bonding these materials. Bonding adhesives reliably and securely adhere two mating surfaces together without your product design or application needing to rely on mechanical fasteners. However, you must choose the right bonding adhesive for your particular project to form powerful, lasting bonds.
At Toagosei, Inc., we’ve been developing and manufacturing innovative adhesive solutions for over 60 years. With well-known products like Instant Krazy Glue, our Aron Alpha® brand of cyanoacrylate adhesive technologies offers superior bond strength for industries from automotive to healthcare. Read on to learn more about our rubber and elastomer bonding adhesive solutions for your next project.
Understanding Rubber and Elastomer Properties
While bonding adhesives are quite versatile, each type is better suited to some material surfaces than others. It’s important to understand the properties of the specific rubber or elastomer you wish to join to ensure that you select the optimal adhesive for your application. Some properties to keep in mind are:
- Elasticity. Elastomers tend to have good elasticity, deforming and then taking their original shape once again. Be sure to choose an adhesive that can maintain its performance and bond strength with such flexible materials.
- Porosity. Depending on the rubber or elastomer, porosity may be a concern. Certain adhesives are less effective in forming reliable bonds with overly porous materials. Excessive adhesive penetration can weaken bonds.
- Chemical composition. Finally, consider the chemical compositions of the bonding surfaces and how they will interact with your chosen adhesive. Some adhesives may not pair well with reactive versus inert surfaces.
Best Adhesives for Rubber Bonding
Our Aron Alpha series consist of a wide range of unique adhesive formulations so you can confidently pick the right solution for your specific project. For rubber and elastomer bonding applications, we recommend:
Cyanoacrylates
Cyanoacrylates are fast-curing, versatile adhesives that rapidly form a permanent bond between mating surfaces. In the presence of ambient moisture, they undergo anionic polymerization and generate molecule polymer chains to form strong bonds. Cyanoacrylates pair well with numerous rubbers and elastomers, but they aren’t ideal for bonding oily or high-porosity surfaces.
Contact Adhesives
A type of single-component adhesive, contact adhesives generate strong bonds on contact when pressing two or more surfaces together. Depending on the application, you might want to apply these adhesives to both bonding surfaces for best results. They work well with rubber and elastomeric surfaces, delivering high peel strength for a long-lasting hold.
Epoxies
Utilizing a resin, hardener, and curing catalyst, epoxies are a great choice for bonding rubber and elastomer surfaces. Such bonds have good holding power when you sufficiently prepare and cure the epoxy, enabling them to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
Tips for Successful Rubber Bonding
To get the ideal results out of your bonding adhesive, it’s important to follow several best practices. Take the following tips into account before using your adhesive:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Familiarize yourself with the preparation, application, clamping pressure, and curing or drying instructions given for the specific adhesive you’re using. This will help you achieve even coverage and strong bonds.
- Prepare surfaces thoroughly. Remove contaminants like oil and dirt before you begin, as bonding compounds adhere best to clean surfaces.
- Consider the impact of environmental conditions. Minimize the risk of poor adhesion and weak bonds by accounting for temperature and humidity in your workspace, as well as any chemicals that the adhesive might encounter.
- Factor in the joint. Evaluate the design of the joint for surface area, proper stress distribution, and gap thickness.
Common Applications
Aron Alpha products are a preferred bonding solution for applications in the following markets:
- Automotive. Rubber and elastomer bonding adhesives are perfect for seals, gaskets, tires, and weatherstripping application.
- Construction. Applying vibration dampers, waterproofing membranes, and layers of roofing material to structures are common adhesive applications in construction.
- Consumer goods. These adhesives are well suited to producing everything from consumer electronic assemblies to shoes and recreational equipment.
- Industrial manufacturing. Examples of appropriate applications for rubber and elastomer adhesives in the manufacturing sector are seals, hoses, and conveyor belts.
- Medical devices. Aron Alpha adhesives are applicable for such things as seals, gaskets, and tubing in healthcare equipment and devices.
Rubber/Elastomer Bonding Adhesives From Aron Alpha
Industrial operations, commercial organizations, and consumers around the world trust the Aron Alpha brand for their assembly projects. With adhesive products ranging from fast-curing cyanoacrylates to rubber-to-concrete adhesives, we strive to offer effective, versatile, and affordable solutions regardless of your assembly needs and performance requirements.
From adhesive manufacturing and testing to developing custom formulations, our team is here to help. Contact us today for more information on our rubber/elastomer bonding adhesive options.
