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This is a very interesting question. Many adhesives are used in what is called a “zero gap” situation, where the adhesive is applied between two closely fitting surfaces, which are then clamped together.

We’re all about raw materials this month. Our annual Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook includes definition/use information for key products, as well as supplier details.

The primary forces are shrinkage of the adhesive on curing and large differences in thermal expansion coefficients between the substrates and the adhesive. High stresses can cause delamination of bonds or damage to the substrates, such as glass cracking.

How much time do you think you spend in a day looking at a screen, be it a cell phone, tablet, computer screen or television? I know I’m sometimes guilty of checking my email on my phone one last time before bed—long after I’ve asked my kids to turn off and put away their devices. Research has shown that people spend an average of 8 hrs, 41 min on media devices, compared to 8 hrs, 21 min sleeping a day—a pretty remarkable statistic. Manufacturers of these devices are driving innovation in adhesives and sealants.

Welcome to ASI’s annual Buyers’ Guide, a purchasing and applications resource for raw materials, equipment and services used to manufacture adhesives and sealants, pressure sensitives, and adhesives and sealants products such as tapes and labels. The Buyers’ Guide also includes supplier details for finished adhesives and sealants.

Dave Dunn's December 2017 column.

If you look around your workplace, I’m certain that most things you see have been assembled in one way or another—from the telephone and computer to the very chair you spend most of the day sitting in. This month, people from all sectors of the assembly industry will gather at The Assembly Show, scheduled for October 24-26 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Now in its fifth year, the event will offer three days of educational sessions, hundreds of exhibiting companies, thousands of industry professionals, a dynamic keynote speaker, and two networking receptions.

It sounds like you sell to several different markets. Although there is some overlap of silicone or polyurethane markets, they are often used in distinct applications.

Raw materials and chemicals are the building blocks of every adhesive and sealant formulation. Our annual “Raw Materials and Chemicals Overview” examines some common chemicals and raw materials used in adhesives, sealants and coatings.