Adhersjon

Adhersjon, often translated as adhesion in English, refers to the process by which two materials or surfaces come into contact and bind. Binding can result from chemical bonds, electrostatic forces, van der Waals interactions, capillary effects, or mechanical interlocking. The term is used across biology, medicine, and materials science to describe how substances stick together.

In biology, adherjon describes how cells attach to each other and to the extracellular matrix. Cell adhesion is mediated by molecules such as integrins, which connect cells to the ECM, and cadherins, which promote cell–cell junctions. Microbial adhesion to surfaces is a key initial step in the formation of biofilms. Adhesive properties depend on surface chemistry, texture, and the surrounding environment, including pH and temperature.

In materials science, adherjon covers the joining of materials through adhesives, coatings, or bonding agents. The strength of adhesion is influenced by surface energy, cleanliness, roughness, and the chemical compatibility of the adhesive and substrates. Adhesion is typically quantified by tests that measure peel strength, shear strength, or pull-off resistance.

Medical relevance is significant, as postoperative adhesions are fibrous bands that can form between tissues after surgery, potentially causing pain or intestinal obstruction. Prevention strategies include physical barriers, anti-adhesive gels, and meticulous surgical technique.

Applications span from industrial adhesives used in construction and manufacturing to medical adhesives, dental bonding agents, and bioadhesives for drug delivery. Related concepts include wet adhesion, bioadhesion, and the distinction between adhesion (attraction between different materials) and cohesion (attraction within a material).