Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants

An Introduction to Adhesives and Sealants 17aging infrastructure. The transportation equipment market has growndue to the increased production of more fuel efficient, quieter ridingcars. Like the adhesives market, the industrial sealants market isfragmented among a multitude of applications and industries.1.3.4 Adhesive and sealant industriesThe industries that are most influenced by adhesives and sealantsconsist of four main categories:1. Base material producers including resins, mineral fillers, extenders,etc.2. Formulators who take the base materials and combine, process,and package them into adhesive and sealant systems that providevarious levels of performance3. End-users who take the packaged adhesives and sealants and produceassembled products4. Associated industries such as equipment manufacturers, testinglaboratories, consultants, etc.The base material producers are usually large chemical or materialcompanies that manufacture materials for broader markets such aspetrochemicals or plastics. When demand warrants, they will producematerials specifically for the adhesive and sealant formulators.The formulators can range from very small business with severalemployees, addressing small niche markets, to large internationalcompanies with several hundred products. Both small and large formulatorsare generally willing to modify a formulation if they believethat it will improve performance, production efficiency, or add someother value. However, a minimum volume is usually necessary beforeformulators will make modifications to a standard formulation or developa new product for a specific application. Formulators have a significantknowledge base regarding adhesive or sealant systems andhow they are to be applied in practice.The end-user usually purchases its adhesive from a formulator,rather than produce it internally. It is increasingly difficult for an enduserto keep up with the continuing technological changes. Therefore,it is often best left to the specialized formulator. The end-user, however,must select the proper adhesive or sealant, substrate, joint design,and processing conditions for specific applications. Once theseare selected and verified as to performance and cost, the end-usermust be vigilant that none of the processes, materials, or other relevantfactors change.