Bonding exercise

Joining two materials together is one of engineering's most fundamental requirements, and new solutions are emerging all the time - driven by demands for cost reduction, environmental regulations and the desire for more aesthetically pleasing products. Mechanical fasteners are one method, but often more desirable is bonding, using adhesives.

The medical sector is making use of adhesives, both in manufacturing devices and frontline healthcare with products such as adhesive tape. In surgery, adhesives present an attractive alternative to stitches and other mechanical closures, as they reduce the risk of scarring. for this and other applications, the sector's stringent demands mean that careful material selection is vital.

Judging the exact size of the medical adhesives market is difficult, but according to Cleveland-based market researcher The Freedonia Group, demand for medical adhesives and sealants in the US alone is set to rise seven per cent a year to $1.5bn in 2009.

Gains will be driven by the increasing surgery and dental hygiene required by an ageing population, continued new product development and increasing acceptance of adhesives and sealants in hospitals and the home.