3. Theoretical aspects of wood bonding. Adhesion phenomena

3.1 Glues and adhesives, definitions

An adhesive is a chemical product used to join two materials. Whether liquid or solid, it is applied in a fluid state to the material(s) to be joined, where it must first adhere through various physico-chemical phenomena that we will now examine: this is the phenomenon of adhesion or bonding.

The materials are then joined together, and the glue hardens or dries, through various physical or chemical phenomena; this is known as curing or drying, or glue setting.

Glues and adhesives are therefore characterized by two essential elements: adhesion and the final cohesion of the adhesive joint.