ABSTRACT
I. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS A. Molecular Contact at the Interface When selecting an adhesive, we must remember that maximum adhesive joint service potential is usually more important than the absolute strength. It was pointed out in the discussion on adhesion theory that this initial strength relates to the degree of physical and chemical interaction between adhesive and adherend at the interface. Maximum adhesive performance, however, is only secured when a number of additional factors are also working in concert with good adhesion. Some factors are gross joint geometry, topography of the interface, chemical nature of the materials present in the total joint, mechanical responses of the solids present, viscoelastic phases involved, strain rates, strain geometry, and finally the temperature and environmental exposure conditions in service. Obviously, the properties of the selected adhesive can have relevance to most or all of these variables.
