A Holistic Approach to Adhesion & Testing Part 1 Course
Adhesives and sealants are extensively used in a wide range of applications. Understanding how to achieve and test for strong and durable adhesion is essential for the long-term reliability and durability of products and structures. Key factors that determine the performance of a sealant or adhesive product are (a) the surface condition of the substrate, (b) the processing and application step, and (c) the properties of the product. Test methods use different joint geometries and test parameters and offer a glimpse at the adhesive properties of a product for these very specific conditions. The two-part course covers the basic multi-disciplinary knowledge required to interpret the outcome of adhesion tests and its relevance for the prediction of actual in-service performance. Furthermore, options for improving the reliability of adhesive bonds are discussed.
Learning Objectives
- Adhesion – A holistic view of interactions
- Adhesive or sealant properties and their influence on adhesion
- Key factors that determine the performance of a sealant or adhesive product
- Case studies on real and perceived adhesion failures
Dr. Andreas T. Wolf, Consultant
Andreas T. Wolf currently works as an independent consultant in the sealants and adhesives area. He graduated in Physical Chemistry at Frankfurt university in 1974 and received a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from Düsseldorf university in 1978. In 2015, he retired from Dow Corning (now: Dow Silicones) as Chief Scientist of the Global High-Performance Building Solutions business. He has served as editor of ten books, coauthored one book on sealants in construction, has authored over 200 technical papers, and chaired multiple international scientific symposia.