Materials science of adhesives: How to bond things together

Abstract

This issue of MRS Bulletin provides an overview of the state of the art and emerging trends in the area of adhesives. An adhesive is basically defined by its function, which is to assemble two surfaces together. In order to fulfill this function, the properties of an adhesive must include easy positioning at the interface, rapid and complete bond formation and subsequent hardening, and a bond strength adapted to the specific application (structural, permanent, removable, rigid, or soft). A variety of solutions exist in practice, and their application requires an understanding both of polymer chemistry and materials science. The main families of adhesives, their properties, and their basic design principles will be discussed in the articles in this issue, while this introductory article presents an overview of the functions required of adhesives and future trends.