Structural adhesives have long been used for bonding parts together in the assembly of durable products such as metal office furniture, HVAC equipment, truck bodies, metal doors, agricultural equipment, signs and architectural panels. In these applications, the structural adhesive typically replaces welding, spot welding or mechanical fasteners (such as bolts, rivets and screws) to provide high-strength bonds to metal components that have already been painted or coated to their finished condition.
Another manufacturing option would be to bond the metal parts together prior to the liquid painting or powder coating process, but this procedure presents some unique challenges for the structural adhesive. In addition to providing long-lasting, high-strength bonds in the finished product, the cured adhesive must also accomplish the following: