FAQs

Selecting adhesives

• Can I rely on adhesive datasheet compatibility information for my substrate?

  No – datasheets are helpful starting points only. They don’t account for surface condition, coatings, peel‑ply texture, bondline thickness, or fastener geometry.

  Always verify that the adhesive delivers adequate performance for your specific bighead fastener, substrate surface, and loading conditions.

• Can I use the same adhesive we already use elsewhere in our product or process?

  Often, yes – but don’t assume equivalent performance with fastener bonding. Adhesives that perform well for panel bonding, brackets, or structural bonding may behave differently for surface‑bonded fasteners, where load introduction and stress distributions are localised.

• Is the strongest or stiffest adhesive always the best choice?

  No. For surface‑bonded fasteners, the balance between stiffness and flexibility is often more important than peak strength.

  Over‑stiff adhesives can increase stress concentrations, particularly on thin or flexible substrates. Tougher or more compliant adhesives may reduce peak stresses and improve durability under cyclic or peel‑sensitive loading.

• Should I always do a pull-off test when selecting an adhesive, or are there other tests I can use?

  Pull‑off (axial) tests are useful for identifying bonding issues, but they’re not the only way to assess surface-bonded fastener performance.

  Choose test methods that reflect how the fastener is loaded in use, and don’t rely on a single set of pull-of results.

  For information on choosing tests and interpreting results, see our guide to evaluating fastener installation strength.

• When is validation testing necessary for selecting an adhesive?

  Whenever fastener performance is critical, substrates or surface conditions vary, or production or service environments are demanding.

  Testing should use application‑representative materials, surface preparation, bonding processes, and loading modes.