The importance of adhesive bond consolidation

Roofing contact adhesives, where the adhesive is applied to both surfaces being bonded, provide many benefits including high initial strength and strong weatherproof bonds, provided it has been consolidated.

Do I need to consolidate a bond?

For contact adhesives, it is important that the bond is consolidated correctly using a roller to ensure the layers of adhesive fuse together to form a homogenous layer.

What are the consequences of not consolidating a bond?

Failure to consolidate the bond line correctly will result in a “tack bond” where the two layers of adhesive have touched to form a bond but have not fused correctly. This results in a weak bond, which will be prone to delamination, especially if exposed to direct sunlight.

This is particularly important for roofing upstands and detail areas, where a hand-roller should be used.