Historically, automobiles assembled exclusively with mechanical fasteners and welding were heavy and not very fuel-efficient. Today, approximately 70 lbs of adhesive products replace more than 200 lbs of mechanical fasteners, decreasing overall weight and increasing fuel efficiency.
Automotive engineers now consider pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) to be cost-effective assembly solutions that improve process speeds while significantly reducing NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) problems. Ideal for high-performance applications, PSAs are easy to apply, lighter than most mechanical fasteners and offer better stress distribution over a wider surface area. They are able to adhere strongly to difficult-to-bond substrates, offer both high- and low-temperature resistance, and are available in both permanent and repositionable form. PSAs can also be specially formulated to exhibit sound damping properties. Their ability to help suppress sound make these PSAs ideal choices for use in conjunction with a variety of substrates for NVH and anti-squeak and rattle applications.