A binding agent, or binder, is a material used to form materials into a cohesive whole, as a means of providing structural stability. Binding agents harden chemically or mechanically, and in the process bond fibres, filler powder and other substances together.
Binding agents have been commonly used in construction for a very long time; for example, the use of straw and natural fibres to strengthen clay in wattle-and-daub construction. A very common binding agent used in contemporary construction is cement, which is used to make concrete. Other common examples include bitumen binder which is used for asphalt pavements, and clay for binding bricks.
Hydraulic binding agents are often used in underground and underwater engineering projects. On mixing with water they continue to preserve and increase their strength. Examples include; Portland cement, pozzolanic cement, blast-furnace cement, alumina and expanding cement, hydraulic lime, and so on.
Air-entrained binding agents harden and maintain their strength after mixing in air rather than water. Examples include; gypsum cement, magnesium cement, air-hardening lime, and so on.
Acid-resistant binding agents can maintain their strength after mixing in air while also in contact with acids, and form various kinds of acid-resistant cement, such as silicon fluoride cement, quartz cement, and so on.
Binding agents can also be 'organic', where they are of organic origin, such as asphalt, bitumen, pitch, polyvinylacetate, resins, and so on. Under the influence of physical or chemical processes they transition from a plastic state to a hard state.
Durability Guaranteed - Pulhamite Rockwork - Its conservation and repair, Published by Historic England in 2008, defines a binder as: ‘The medium or vehicle that binds together the particles of aggregate in a mortar, render or concrete, or the pigments and fillers in a coating (in a mortar or render the binder is usually lime or cement). The binder coats each particle and fills the voids between them, and it is the drying or curing of the binder that causes a mortar or coating to set. Its drying or curing properties and the proportion of binder to aggregate are very important in determining the durability of a mortar.’
NB: The use of 'mechanical' binders refers to bond stones in masonry, and tie beams in timber framing.
FAQs
For brevity, here are some of the most popular ones:
- Oatmeal.
- Milk.
- Potato starch.
- Psyllium husk.
- Rice.
- Tapioca.
- Wheat flour.
- Xanthan gum.
Binders are any ingredient that can help a mixture hold its shape or remain bound together. Traditional binding agents include flour and eggs. The most commonly used food binder is flour. Flour is created by grinding raw grains or roots into a powder and then served in diverse cuisines.
What foods are natural binders? ›
Binding Agents: What Are They, Why We Need Them, & Other Facts
- Gelatin.
- Milk.
- Oatmeal.
- Tapioca.
- Corn starch.
- Cracker crumbs.
- Gluten in flours.
- Ground flax.
(BINE-ding AY-jent) A substance that makes a loose mixture stick together. For example, binding agents can be used to make solid pills from loose powders.
Can I use olive oil as a binder? ›
Olive oil makes for a good all-around binder that will hold in the seasonings and is great for steak. Olive oil: Perfect for beef cuts, olive oil will not only hold those seasonings to the meat, it will help dramatically crisp up the outside of the cuts.
What not to use for binding? ›
Follow these ps to make sure you're binding safely. Don't use Ace bandages or duct tape. They can restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs, and cause other serious injuries, such as broken ribs. Don't buy a binder that's too small for you.
What is the strongest natural binder? ›
- Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal, derived from sources like coconut shells, bamboo, bone char, peat, or olive pits, is a finely powdered, pitch-black substance celebrated for its exceptional binding abilities. ...
- Zeolite. ...
- Bentonite Clay. ...
- Chitosan. ...
- Pectin. ...
- Chlorella. ...
- Diatomaceous Earth.
The BRAT diet
- Bananas. Starch in the fruit can help absorb water in your colon, which works to firm up your stool. ...
- Rice. Select white rice over brown rice in this case, as it's easier on your stomach.
- Applesauce. Look to grab unsweetened applesauce to cut down on sugar.
- Toast.
The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one dietitians recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea. Intermittent fasting can have variable effects on bowel movement regularity since there are so many different schedules to choose from.
What are natural binders? ›
Natural gum-based binders are made from substances extracted from plants. Larger amounts of dry substance are added to liquid binders in order to cast or model sculptures and reliefs. In cooking, various edible thickening agents are used as binders.
Honey acts as a binder and thickener for sauces, dressings, marinades, and dips. Honey is also an excellent choice to use in salad dressings since its emulsifying qualities make it a perfect stabilizer. Honey provides and retains moisture in a variety of dishes and can even extend the shelf life of baked goods.
What ingredient makes food stick together? ›
Egg is probably the most commonly used binding agent in home cooking. Corn starch or arrowroot powder works, but not as good as egg. A bit of kneading helps a bit as well if you don't want to add any additional ingredients.
What is the most effective binder? ›
Best firm-compression binder
Gc2b binders came up in almost every conversation and were the most recommended among our experts, who mentioned both the tank and half-tank styles.
Which binding is the strongest? ›
Also known as hardcover binding, case binding is the most durable option available. Most books in history have received this type of book binding. Typically, the pages are sewn together in sections. The sections are then glued to end papers.
What is the best binding method? ›
CASE BINDING
Also known as hardcover binding, this is by far the best binding technique you could pick. In fact, in the past, all major books were hard-bound. Basically, the inside pages are sewn together in sections. The sections are then glued to the end-papers which are finally glued to the cover's spine.
What is the safest binding method? ›
Binder/medical compression shirt
Binders are the safest and most recommended way to bind.
