To insure that adhesives and sealants function well during their application and end-use, the formulator must be able to control the flow properties of the product. The challenge that faces the formulator is that the adhesive or sealant may need different flow characteristics at different times. For example, adhesives must flow readily so that they can be evenly applied to a substrate and wet-out the surface. Yet, there should not be an excess of penetration into porous substrates, nor should the adhesive "run" or "bleed" to create a starved joint. Certain adhesives and sealants must also be capable of easy flow application by trowel or extrusion, but they must also exhibit sag and slump resistance, even at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the flow properties, or rheology, of the material must fit the desired method of application.
Adhesive and sealant manufacturers employ rheological additives for thickening and to prevent sag of their products. In practice, rheological additives may provide benefits in addition to viscosity or flow control.
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