Physical Factors Affecting Adhesive Action

1) Surface Tension
For better bond strength interfacial tension between the adhesive molecules and
surface material of adherends should be less.
2) Shear compressive and tensile strength of adhesive
1. The above physical factor indirectly contributes to the load bearing capacity of the
composite material
2. Thus for high strength of composite material adhesive material in turn should
have high strength
3) Porosity and smoothness of contacting surfaces
1. Porosity is a physical factor which indicates bond strength between surface
molecules. If porosity is high then bond strength is low and vice versa
2. While high smoothness is a sign of good bond strength. High smoothness
ensures absence of impurities on any surface
3. Thus for any contacting surface porosity should be less and smoothness should
be as high as possible
4) Thickness of Adhesive Film
Thin film is mostly desirable because majority of adhesive forces are present which
is required for high bond strength
5) Techniques of application
Suitable techniques of application should be adopted to ensure proper adhesive
action
The following factors like
1. Temperature
2. Pressure
3. Time
Plays an important role in successful adhesive action
Chemical Factor Affecting Adhesive Action
1) Degree of Polymerization
1. The best suited degree of polymerization which gives strong bond strength differs
from adhesive to adhesive
2. it lies between unpolymerized to highly polymerized fraction
2) pH of medium
1. The presence of strong acids and alkalies are harmful to the adhesive bond
strength
2. Some of the adhesive give better bonding in slightly acidic medium like
vulcanized rubber. On other hand some adhesives give better bond strength in
slightly alkaline medium like glue

3) Polarity of Adhesives
1. Presence of polar functional groups in adhesives (- cooH, - NH 2, - So3H)
increases bond strength of adhesives
2. In non polar molecules polar molecules are added to increase the bond strength
of adhesives
For e.g. Addition of maleic acid to PVC