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To complement our new Equipment Handbook, this issue includes editorial coverage on equipment. Acoustic micro-imaging can produce acoustic images of internal features, including gaps, in electronic components.

Can you help us to get rid of the mess created from using fumed silica in our silicone and polyurethane adhesive manufacture? It is so lightweight that it covers the entire factory.

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in manufacturing—it has become a mainstay in nearly every industry, including adhesives and sealants. In addition to reduced emissions and landfill waste, “green” products also reduce the chance of exposing workers to dangerous toxins.

We have a customer who wants to use an adhesive-backed expanded PTFE gasket strip on a steel substrate. However, the customer wants to be able to remove and reapply the strip without losing adhesion. We do not make ePTFE gasket strips, but we have imported some samples for the customer to test. They are not satisfied with the results. I must admit, I am not surprised. Is there such a thing as a PSA that can be removed and reapplied a number of times without losing adhesion?

Scaling up products from the laboratory to field trials to full production can often be problematic, whether a new polymer is being developed or a formulated finished adhesive is manufactured. If bond failures are occurring during production, the plant may go back to the adhesive supplier and claim the adhesive is at fault.

This month’s issue is all about materials. Our annual Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook includes definition/use information for key products, as well as supplier details.

We are all familiar with the social science concept of unintended consequences—outcomes that weren’t foreseen or intended. History is rife with examples of well-meaning intentions that somehow went awry. In the 19th century, Australia introduced rabbits into the country as means for providing an additional food supply for its indigenous people.

Polyurethanes can be one- or two-component systems. The single-component systems comprise a polyester or polyether polyol that has been end-capped with an isocyanate.

It’s crucial for any business to plan ahead. Whether it’s setting long-term financial goals, weekly sales numbers or even deadlines for projects, having goals to hit is important for every company.

A definition of “bio-based” is a good starting point for this discussion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines bio-based products as those derived from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials. Standardized tests have been developed (ASTM D 6866) to quantify the bio-based content of a product or a raw material.