October 28, 2025
Adhesive Connections in Glass Constructions
In this video, Christiane Kothe explains the use of structural adhesive bonding in glass construction, a technology with ancient roots that was revolutionized by modern synthetic and silicone adhesives. Adhesive connections offer key advantages over mechanical fixings, including transparent aesthetics, the ability to join different materials, and even stress distribution, which reduces local weak points. However, their success depends on meticulous surface preparation and managing long curing times, which can impact production efficiency. The video covers the fundamental principles of adhesion and cohesion, the chemical curing process of structural adhesives, and the critical importance of surface pre-treatments to ensure bond strength and long-term durability. Through methods like contact angle measurement and mechanical testing, including accelerated aging, the performance and reliability of these bonds can be validated. When applied correctly, adhesive connections significantly enhance the safety, efficiency, and design possibilities of modern glass structures. The video was produced by the Open GLASSroom project. Special thanks to Christiane Kothe for contributing to the Open GLASSroom OER collection. The creation of these resources has been (partially) funded by the ERASMUS+ grant program of the European Union under grant no. 2022-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000089750. Neither the European Commission nor the project's national funding agency DAAD are responsible for the content or liable for any losses or damage resulting of the use of these resources.