Introductory Remarks

Abstract

When we hear the phrase “harsh environments” the first thing we are likely to think of is military aircraft operating at high temperatures and humidities that limit the use of polymer adhesives. Certainly, the bulk of the research on high performance polymer adhesives has been directed at these applications. Actually there is a broad spectrum of harsh environments for polymer adhesives includes, seashore and deep ocean operations, the oil patch industries, in vivo materials, strong electric fields and fatigue loads. Less obvious but just as demanding are applications that require long-term durability; 20 years or more under relatively mild environmental conditions.