When an uncrosslinked or lightly crosslinked polymer is brought into contact with the
surface of another material at a temperature above its glass transition temperature, an
adhesive bond of measurable strength is formed in most cases (Zosel, 1985). The adhesion of
the polymer to the substrate is highly influenced by the viscoelasticity of the polymer as
well as the surface and interfacial tensions of the polymer and substrate (Zosel, 1989). To
function properly, polymeric adhesives must combine liquid-like characteristics to form