What is a Sealant? How Do They Differ?
Adhesives and sealants are often lumped together, as if they were versions of the same product with the same function. But theyre not. Adhesives and sealants are different. Adhesives: Functions and Forms An adhesive is a material that joins two surfaces together by bonding them. It is usually applied as a thin layer between two surfaces or substrates. To meet the performance needs of the particular application, two factors are important: • Adhesionthe adhesive must bond with each substrate (sticking to them) so they can be held together. If the product will not adhere to one of the surfaces, then the materials cannot be joined. • Cohesionthe adhesive must have enough internal strength so that it holds together and does not break within the film of adhesive when force is applied to pull the two surfaces apart.The level of required adhesion built into a formation depends on the application.
