It is vital to ensure you’re using the appropriate adhesive or sealant on your application. This not only reduces the risk of hazards but can also increase a products dependability and business operations in the long run.
But this is easier said than done, and many individuals find that their adhesive or sealant is prematurely failing due to improper selection and usage. We intend to discuss this more closely to make you aware of the common issues and how to avoid or resolve them.
Poor Surface Preparation
Making sure your chosen surface is appropriately prepared is vital to ensure the effectiveness of your adhesive or sealant. It has been reported that operator errors such as poor surface prep are responsible for more than 90% of bond failure in industrial manufacturing.
It is important to clean the area, before applying your adhesive, to remove the risk of dust, oil, grease and moisture from impacting the chemical bond.
You should also prime the surface, as this can provide an intermediary layer that creates the required conditions for a strong, lasting bond.
Incorrect Adhesive Selection
Using incompatible adhesives and sealants can result in reduced reliability, as your product can fail prematurely. Therefore, it is vital that you thoroughly research your product before use, saving you a significant amount of time and money in the long run.
Example: Tesla used the wrong adhesive in their Cybertrucks manufactured between November 2023 and February 2025 - a costly mistake that increased the risk of hazards for road users.
Environmental and Operational Degradation
Neglecting to thoroughly consider the environment your application operates in can limit the capability of your adhesive.
- High heat, humidity, and UV exposure - can cause the bond to weaken and subsequent parts to detach, resulting in a road safety concern.
- Low humidity or extreme cold - can slow down chemical reactions in adhesives, resulting in slow or incomplete curing.
To avoid these issues, it is essential that you read product specifications to make sure that the environment is compatible with your adhesive before application.
Corrosion
Improperly applying adhesives can result in corrosion, causing the adhesive or sealant line to break down. The most common cause of corrosion is galvanic reactions, generated when adhesives are used to bond dissimilar materials.
Preventing this issue is simple. Researching your adhesives, and their compatibility with materials, can help you avoid this completely. For example, Polyurethane adhesives are excellent for bonding dissimilar materials.
We also have a range of corrosion prevention products to help further prevent this issue.
Contact the team
If you’re struggling to decide which adhesive or sealant is best for your requirements, or if you need more advice to ensure the correct usage and application, speak to us.
Albert Jagger have supplied products for the transport and industrial sectors since 1887, allowing us to form a reputation of dependability. We’ve got a team of experts on hand to answer any queries you may have about your chosen product. Get in touch today.
Tel: +44 (0)1922 471000
Email: [email protected]