Adhesive Testing Laboratory & Adhesive Consulting Services

For a customer project involving the assembly of polyamide components, our laboratory was tasked with developing a reliable bonding process that could be integrated directly into production.

The challenge

Polyamide is highly hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from its environment. This can make reliable adhesive bonding particularly challenging, as the moisture contained within the material can negatively influence adhesion and bond performance.

Alternative joining technologies, such as laser welding, are not suitable for every application either. Depending on the component geometry, access and design requirements, their use can be technically limited.

Our approach

Our adhesive laboratory analyzed the material characteristics and the requirements of the joining process, focusing in particular on the influence of absorbed moisture on adhesion and on how the curing conditions could be used to achieve a robust bond.

Based on the laboratory evaluation, the process was designed around a combination of surface preparation and elevated-temperature curing. The Polyamide components are first cleaned with Betaclean™ 3350 and subsequently bonded using Araldite® 2031-1. After assembly, the bonded components are transferred directly into an oven, where the adhesive is cured at 80 °C.

The elevated curing temperature enables the adhesive to develop excellent adhesion to the Polyamide substrate, while reducing the negative influence of moisture present within the amorphous regions of the polyamide.

The result

By combining suitable surface preparation with a controlled 80 °C curing process, the bonding performance can be integrated efficiently into the production process while enabling high and reliable adhesion despite the moisture-sensitive nature of polyamide.

Adhesive testing reduces technical risks before products reach production or the market. It helps identify unsuitable adhesive systems, optimize manufacturing processes and verify long-term durability under realistic operating conditions. Early testing minimizes costly failures, improves product quality and supports reliable product development.

Our laboratories support customers across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, railway, construction, electronics, packaging, renewable energy, marine, furniture, and many other industrial sectors. Wherever reliable bonded joints are required, adhesive testing helps improve performance and product reliability.

Selecting the right adhesive depends on several factors, including substrate materials, loads, operating temperatures, environmental influences, production processes and regulatory requirements. Our specialists at Bodo Möller Chemie evaluate these parameters and recommend suitable adhesive systems based on laboratory testing and application expertise.

Yes. At Bodo Möller Chemie our manufacturer-independent laboratories compare adhesive systems from different suppliers using identical testing conditions and standardized methods. This enables objective performance comparisons and supports informed material selection.

Yes. Customers are welcome to submit components, bonded assemblies or adhesive samples for testing. To ensure the correct preparation and testing procedure, please contact the laboratory before shipping any materials. Our specialists will explain the required sample quantity, preparation and shipping instructions.

Yes. While we perform many standardized tests, we also develop customized testing procedures whenever standard methods do not adequately represent your application. Together with you, we define the objectives and test parameters to generate meaningful results for your specific product or manufacturing process.

Yes. Our laboratories design testing programs that closely replicate the environmental and mechanical conditions your bonded assembly will experience in service. Depending on your application, this may include temperature changes, humidity, UV exposure, chemicals, or vibration. Testing under realistic conditions provides reliable data on long-term adhesive performance and helps reduce the risk of failures in the field.

The duration of adhesive testing depends on the selected test methods and the scope of the project. Standard mechanical tests can often be completed within a few days, while environmental aging tests require more time because they simulate long-term operating conditions. During the free initial consultation, we discuss your requirements and provide an estimated testing schedule tailored to your project.

Every testing project is different. The cost of adhesive testing depends on the scope of the project and the testing methods required. We begin every project with a consultation to understand your objectives before preparing a transparent, project-specific quotation.