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Polyurethane Solutions in Modern Adhesives and Binders

In today’s rapidly evolving industrial world, strengthening a structure, holding it together, or making it durable requires much more than simply gluing parts together. From assembling massive metal structures in construction projects to ensuring that automotive components withstand even the slightest vibrations, there is a powerful force working behind the scenes: adhesives and binders.

While adhesives bring two surfaces together through physical or chemical means, binders serve the purpose of holding together the components of a larger structure, providing stability and durability.

Understanding the distinction between binders and adhesives is crucial in various industries where materials need to be combined or held together. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they serve different purposes with unique properties. Binders are substances designed to hold materials together in a cohesive structure and are commonly used in processes such as mixing, molding, and manufacturing. On the other hand, adhesives are formulated to create strong bonds between separate surfaces or materials, facilitating the assembly of different components across various applications, from construction to electronics.

Adhesives

An adhesive is a substance used to bond two surfaces together. It typically works by forming a bond between surfaces through a process involving mechanical adhesion (where the adhesive physically sticks to the surfaces) or chemical adhesion (where chemical bonds are formed with the materials). Adhesives can be natural or synthetic and are available in liquid, paste, gel, and tape forms.

They are widely used across various industries for applications in construction, manufacturing, crafts, and packaging. The choice of an adhesive depends on various factors, including the materials to be bonded, environmental conditions, and the required strength and durability. Common types of adhesives include epoxy, polyurethane, silicone, and acrylic.

Types of Adhesives

Adhesives can be classified based on their chemical components, forms, or application methods:

Water-Based Adhesives

Use water as a solvent and are environmentally friendly options. They include white glues (PVA) and are commonly used in woodworking, paper products, and fabrics.

Solvent-Based Adhesives:

Contain organic solvents and provide strong adhesion. They are typically used for industrial applications and can bond a wide range of materials, but require proper handling due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Hot Melt Adhesives:

These are thermoplastics applied in a molten state and harden upon cooling. They are widely used in packaging, electronics, and the automotive industry due to their quick setting times and strong bonds.

Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives:

Chemically cure and include epoxies, silicones, and polyurethanes. They are known for their excellent strength and durability, making them suitable for high-stress applications in construction and engineering.

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs):

These adhesives remain sticky and can adhere to surfaces with light pressure. PSAs are suitable for quick applications in labels, tapes, and notepads.

Contact Adhesives:

These must be applied to both surfaces and allowed to dry before the surfaces are pressed together. They are used for strong and immediate bonds in materials like laminates, rubbers, and metals.

Natural Adhesives:

Obtained from natural sources such as starch (from corn, wheat, or rice), dextrin, animal products (like casein or gelatin from milk), and natural resins. They are commonly used in leatherworking, woodworking, and paper bag manufacturing.


Binders

Binders are synthetic polymer adhesive components that exhibit strong adhesion characteristics to the area and substrate where they are applied, providing good insulation and adhesion between the flooring and covering. These products, which possess superior adhesive properties, particularly stand out for their durability in flooring and insulation applications. With their binding qualities, they offer significant advantages in space insulation and flooring applications, demonstrating quick grip and curing properties. Their application is effortless and straightforward, making them suitable for many industries. Binders are used in various applications across the industrial flooring, construction, automotive, and textile sectors, providing greater usage advantages compared to their counterparts due to their ability to be applied over a wide temperature range and their resistance to chemicals and water.

Types of Binders

Different types of binders are used in various industries:

Epoxy Resins:

These binders possess high strength and chemical resistance, making them suitable for use in construction, aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

Polyurethane Binders:

They provide flexibility and durability and are widely used in the automotive, furniture, construction, and textile industries.

Silicone Binders:

Resistant to high temperatures, moisture, and chemicals; they are commonly used in electronics, automotive, construction, and medical devices.

What are the Differences Between Adhesive and Binder?

Polyurethane in Adhesives and Binders

Due to its wide range of applications and superior properties, polyurethane is commonly used as both an adhesive and a binder. This material stands out particularly for its high strength, flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance, making it indispensable in various industries.

Polyurethane Adhesives

Polyurethane adhesives are used to effectively bond a variety of materials together.

High Strength and Durability:

Polyurethane adhesives create strong bonds on different materials, such as metals, plastics, wood, and composites. These bonds are known for their high strength and long-lasting nature.

Flexibility

These adhesives provide a strong bond while allowing the connections to move. This property is especially important in applications exposed to vibrations and impacts.

Environmental Resistance

Polyurethane adhesives demonstrate high resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and chemicals. Therefore, they are preferred for outdoor applications and in harsh environmental conditions.

Polyurethane Binders

Polyurethane binders hold particles or fibers together to create strong and durable composite materials. The standout features and applications of these binders are:

Strong Bonding Capacity

Polyurethane binders enable the formation of stable and durable structures by combining particles or fibers. This property is crucial in applications that require high strength and durability.

Flexibility and Elasticity

Polyurethane binders allow composite materials to remain flexible and elastic. This feature provides significant advantages, especially in sports flooring and shock-absorbing surfaces.

Environmental Resistance

These binders are resistant to UV rays, water, and chemicals, making them ideal for outdoor applications and harsh environmental conditions.

KIMcase® Binding and Sealing Systems

High Performance Solutions 

Kimpur has developed KIMcase® binding systems, which provide excellent adhesion for use as a binder in various industries, and KIMcase® sealing systems that prevent liquid passage on surfaces. Both systems are environmentally friendly and recyclable.

KIMcase® Binding Systems Usage Areas:

  • Walkways
  • Sports field surfaces
  • Children’s playgrounds
  • Park and garden floor coverings
  • Window and door sills
  • Rubber products such as rubber roll carpets and rubber curbs

Advantages:

  • Contains 100% solid material.
  • Provides a VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) free, odorless material formation.
  • Offers suitable viscosity and reaction speed for pressing and casting processes.
  • Demonstrates superior performance in bonding scrap recycling sponges, SBR, or EPDM rubber granules.
  • Available in aliphatic and aromatic varieties tailored to desired performance.
  • Allows for both hot and cold curing options..

For more detailed information about our KIMcase® Binding and Sealing Systems, you can review the brochure below.