5: Glass and Ceramics Repair and Bonding

This chapter provides an overview of the make-up and properties of traditional ceramic materials, technical ceramics, glass-ceramics and advanced ceramics used in traditional industrial and engineering applications. The applications for which the essential chemistry and technology of polymeric repair and bonding solutions, and the appropriate fitness-for-purpose testing methods considered are: Repair of small cracks, chips and pinholes in glass-fused-to-steel and where larger cracks or holes extend through to the steel; Bonding and restoration of broken porcelain electrical insulation components with polymeric adhesives and putty materials, and sealant/coating insulator glaze replacement; Bonding and restoration of advanced ceramics with high performance thermoplastic and thermoset pre-cast or pre-impregnated adhesive films, sheets and tapes as alternatives to ceramic adhesives where operating temperatures permit.