Molecular bonding vs glues and epoxies
Molecular Bonding vs Glues and Epoxies: Why the Tech-Bond System Outperforms Traditional Joins
While Tech-Bond’s Polymer Bonding Process has long proven effective across a wide range of polymer and metal substrates, our team has now identified a key breakthrough in bonding non-polymer surfaces, specifically glass, alloy steels, and stainless steel.
The Catalyst Must Dry for True Bonding to Occur
Through extensive field testing — over 16 years of observation and refinement — we have learned that allowing the catalyst (Activator/Accelerator) to dry fully before applying the adhesive and pressing the substrates together is essential. Only when the catalyst is dry will it activate the exothermic chemical reaction that forms a true molecular bond.
- Once dry, the surface becomes chemically primed.
- A one-hour window exists to apply the adhesive to the opposite surface and then to press the two surfaces together.
- When the adhesive contacts the catalyst-primed surface, the exothermic reaction begins — bonding the two substrates together.
This drying step is now a critical component of Tech-Bond’s bonding process especially when bonding those surfaces that were previously considered unbondable.
Verification Still in Progress
We are currently in the process of scientifically verifying molecular bonds with the following materials:
- Glass (including borosilicate and standard soda-lime glass)
- Alloy steels
- Stainless steel (including 304, 316 grades)
Although field applications have produced promising results, lab testing is underway in collaboration with IIT, ISM to confirm the presence and strength of true molecular bonds. We will update documentation and training materials as certifications and peer-reviewed results become available.
🔧 What This Means for Industry
- For the first time, a field-applied adhesive system may be capable of forming molecular bonds to all major substrate types, including polymers, metals, flexible materials, wood substrates, and glass — under ambient conditions.
- No ovens. No clamps. No primers. Just precision, timing, and understanding of the required chemistry.
Molecular bonds
The blue circles represent the molecular bonds formed through the Polymer Bonding Process. When the Accelerator is applied and allowed to dry, then combined with the Bonding Agent, it triggers an exothermic chemical reaction. This reaction is not just a byproduct—it is physical verification that molecular bonds are actively forming between the substrates. The presence of heat confirms that a chemical transformation is occurring at the surface level, resulting in a permanent, high-performance bond.
Glue and Epoxy Joins
In a typical glue or epoxy join, the green line represents the adhesive layer that remains between the two surfaces after joining. This layer, often exposed to environmental conditions, can degrade over time—especially in harsh or high-stress environments—leading to potential failure. In contrast, when bonding with a catalyst, that layer effectively disappears. The catalyst initiates a chemical reaction that fuses the two substrates at the molecular level, forming a true bond rather than merely holding them together. There is no residual adhesive layer left to weather or erode—only a permanent, durable connection.