5.1 The guide is to be used by anyone developing bonding or sealing requirements for specifications for manufacturing, maintenance or overhaul. This guide has been designed to be application specific for each bonding or sealing application, and allows the design engineer to rest assured that the product(s) or process(es) selected by the industrial or manufacturing engineer will be compatible with both the part material and the subsequent processes, such as adherend/substrate cleaning and preparation. It allows the industrial or manufacturing engineer to customize the selection of the adhesive or sealant product based on the materials of the parts being bonded or sealed, the conditions required for the subsequent process(es), environmental, cost, and health and safety concerns.

1.1 This guide is intended to assist design engineers, manufacturing/industrial engineers, and production managers in selecting the best-fit adhesive/sealant or bonding/sealing process. The guide takes into account environmental pollution prevention and occupational health and safety factors in a selection process.

1.2 This guide is not to be considered as a database of acceptable materials. It will guide the engineers and managers through the adhesive/sealant material selection process, calling for engineers to customize their selection based on the bonding or sealing performance requirements for the specified application. A comprehensive selection process will allow for the establishment of a more efficient production process, and may eliminate unnecessary process steps. A total life cycle cost analysis or performance/cost of implementation study is recommended to compare the available alternatives.

1.3 This guide is for aerospace and general purpose operations. It is not intended to be used for automotive, carpet, construction, electronics, medical/dental, optical, or structural and nonstructural wood applications. Note that this guide is not specifically for these applications, but the general methodology may be used in the selection process for these applications.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.