First, there are cyanoacrylates (better known to most as instant adhesives or superglues). These are normally single component products that bond in seconds at room temperature. This curing takes place through the reaction of slight traces of moisture on the component surface with the adhesive.

Instant adhesives are excellent for bonding rubber, some fabrics and most plastics. They can also be used with a polyolefin primer to enable so called "difficult" substrates - polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone rubber, for example - to be bonded.

Typical marine applications for cyanoacrylates include the bonding of rubber window seals, cupboard fittings and trim, the securing of neoprene rubber seals to polypropylene engine covers and the repair of damaged veneers.

They can also be used to bond EPDM gaskets into epoxy powder coated voltage control boxes.

As well as being used by builders and maintainers of boats, cyanoacrylates are the kind of glues the average user should keep handy for those emergency repairs which crop up from time to time.

Locking and sealing Anaerobics are single component materials that remain liquid in the presence of air and only cure when the joint has been mated.

They are used on metallic components for locking and sealing threads, for providing gaskets and for bonding components such as retaining gears, pulleys and bearings on shafts.

In most applications, it is simply a case of squeezing the appropriate amount of adhesive on the joint in question. No mixing, no complicated instructions - just a few moments to ensure the joint is locked or sealed. For high throughput applications, dispensing equipment is available.

Despite the strength of anaerobics, the formulation is such that joints can be readily disassembled using hand tools when maintenance work is required. Another beauty of anaerobics is that any adhesive left outside the joint will remain in liquid form and can be easily wiped away.

There are a number of manufacturing and maintenance jobs for which anaerobics are highly suitable.

For example, a medium strength sealant has been used by one boat manufacturer in the assembly of pipework throughout luxury motor cruisers. Of course, where that pipework involves the passage of drinking water, then a potable adhesive that has the appropriate water council approval must be used.

The same builder has employed a threadlocking adhesive to ensure that cleats, handrails and boom openers are secure against all the buffeting and shocks which a craft might experience.

Totnes-based Scanstrut uses a threadlocking adhesive on its modular pole mounting system for positioning radar, GPS/VHF and other antennas. Interestingly, the adhesive not only firmly secures the components, but it also acts as an insulator at the base of the modular pole to separate dissimilar metals (stainless steel and aluminium) from each other to eliminate corrosive potential.

Another threadlocker is used to permanently bond two aluminium threaded components at the base of the modular pole, while a third application involves a security bolt system. Here the adhesive was chosen not just for its strength, but also to make the bolts tamper-proof.

The only viable design option - spring washers - was discounted because there was a potential adjustment threat from conventional tools which would compromise the security of the bolts.

Polyurethane adhesives are available as both single and two-part products. The single component type cures using atmospheric pressure, while the two-part version hardens when both elements are mixed together.

Although lower in strength than some adhesives, they are extremely flexible. One of the major applications involves direct glazing windscreens, although they are also used for bonding most metals, woods, various plastics and rubbers.

Next, there are the various types of acrylic adhesives.

Toughened acrylics, for instance, are two-part adhesives which are suitable for bonding metals, some plastics and some woods.

They develop handling strength at room temperature within 15 to 30 minutes, although some can subsequently be heat cured by, for example, passage through a paint bake oven.

These adhesives can be applied by means of an automatic mixing gun or, alternatively, by having the catalyst applied to one surface, the adhesive to the other, and the two parts mated.

Although not strictly adhesives, specially formulated polyester and glassfibre fillers and two-part marine epoxies are available (often produced by adhesives manufacturers, as it happens) that can be used to mend parts on boats that have been damaged.

These parts can be wood, metal, glass fibre or GRP panels - although it is important to choose the correct filler for the job in hand.

Saving money - by design Increasingly, adhesives are being used in preference to traditional methods of joining such as riveting, bolting, welding, interference fitting and keying.

Adhesives are frequently used to replace rigid gaskets or thread sealing methods such as tape. As a result, more and more designs are being originated with adhesives in mind. Indeed, research has shown that it is at this early stage of product development that the level of profitability can be determined.

Consider this: design often accounts for around 5% of an item's total cost. However, design governs almost three quarters of that finished product's manufacturing costs.

In other words, designing with assembly efficiency in mind helps to control overall product cost - and, therefore, competitiveness.

Simplifying design - and one way of doing that is through the use of adhesives - not only maximises product quality and performance, it can also reduce costs.

The way ahead In effect, involving adhesive at the design stage calls for them to be treated as another component. And that makes a great deal of sense.

More and more designers are coming to see that adhesives are one way of getting on the right side of their financial directors. That's because adhesives reduce part counts and makes assembly easier.

In short, adhesives save money. And that's good news for everyone.

Henkel Loctite Adhesives Ltd T: 01707 358800. F: 01707 358906. E: customer. enquiry@henkel.co.uk W: loctite.co.uk