When and why metal adhesives are better than screws and welds
Double-sided adhesive tape or sheets, epoxy or acrylic structural adhesives, hot melt adhesives: nowadays, there are many different types of metal adhesives to choose from, which all have clear advantages over conventional metal fastening solutions. Companies would often rather continue using mechanical fasteners or welds instead of metal adhesives because of one simple fact: because their operators aren’t aware of the advantages which modern adhesive fastening solutions can provide in the context of metalworking. It must be mentioned, as a basic assumption, that metals have a high surface energy and, because of this, they are particularly suited for adhesive fastening. Starting from this assumption, the use of adhesives on metal can very often be the ideal choice: so, let’s have a look at when and why adhesives are better than screws and welds on metal.
The advantages of metal adhesives over welding
Among the most utilised fastening systems in the field of metals are definitely the thermal fastening techniques, with welding at the forefront. This technique is used, and preferred in many cases, because of two main reasons: because it ensures rather fast processing times and because the value for money is good. In many cases, metal adhesives can be an equivalent or even much better alternative.
As well as welding, suitable adhesive fastening can guarantee not only strength, but also excellent sealing results. However, the best metal adhesives can surpass welding under many points of view. First of all, it must be noted that the simple and quick processing allows for a reduction of labour costs, and therefore production costs, together with energy ones. Moreover, metal adhesives can be used on different metals, isolating them from galvanic corrosion; moreover, adhesion can be eliminated and reworked as needed.
Unlike welding, metal adhesives provide an optimal aesthetic result: there is neither warping nor colour changes. Due to lack of warping, metal adhesives can be used effectively even on extremely thin components, without losing strength. In general, moreover, using adhesives is more comfortable and safer than that of welding: there are no sources of intense heat, there are no risks for one’s sight, and so on.
The advantages of metal adhesives over mechanical fastening
Welding isn’t the only classic fastening method. In fact, there is also a rather large list of mechanical fastenings made, as the name implies, with screws, bolts, and rivets. Of course, these are simple and conceptually immediate techniques: you pierce, and you fasten. But the disadvantages, when confronted with a more modern and less laborious and invasive solution, are many: this is because, as mentioned, to use these mechanical fastening methods, you need to drill.
No drilling is required when using metal adhesives. This means saving time, saving energy, increasing safety, as well as being certain not to weaken the substrate – knowing that the presence of holes increases the risk of corrosion. It should also be noted that the resistance offered by metal adhesives is greater: if screws, bolts, and rivets concentrate the fastening on individual points, adhesives allow for the stress to be evenly distributed over the entire available surface.
Moreover, the fact that adhesives are light and thin cannot be overlooked, as that means no weight or thickness is added. Not to mention, choosing among the most suitable adhesives for metal surfaces, it is possible to glue different metals reducing the risk of corrosion, as well as sealing the fastening, which is not possible with screws and bolts alone.
Choosing the best fastening solutions for metals
So yes, without the shadow of a doubt, metal adhesives offer concrete advantages in the most various scenarios, at the industrial and artisanal level alike, in the field of manufacturing, construction, automotive, the production of household appliances, and so on. The important point is, of course, choosing the best fastening solutions for metals. There are adhesives designed for the fastening of certain metal surfaces, which work perfectly even on painted surfaces, solutions requiring large surfaces and those that, instead, need smaller portions. And yet, some adhesives are designed to work even at extreme temperatures, others can accommodate both bending and stretching. In recent years, great strides have been made in the field of metal fastening solutions: find the most suitable adhesive tapes, double-sided adhesive tapes, and glues to facilitate and better your internal processes here, on our online store!