hand strength

In adhesive technology, the colloquial hand strength describes the fixing time of an adhesive.

This is the time that an adhesive needs to fix two workpieces until a first small load is possible. Once the hand strength has been reached, fixations can be released and the workpieces can be taken to further process steps that do not heavily stress the bond. Caution: the adhesive has not yet fully cured during this time.

Hand strength is an important indicator of adhesive performance as it gives an indication of the strength and stability of a joint.
Determining handling strength allows engineers and technicians to evaluate the suitability of adhesives for different applications and select alternative materials if necessary.

The hand strength of adhesives depends on various factors such as the type of adhesive, temperature, humidity and the type of materials to be bonded.

As a rule, the handling strength of adhesives is determined using various test methods, such as tensile tests or torque measurements.