noun
binding agent; binder
Technical term used in chemistry, materials science, and manufacturing for a substance that holds other materials together.
この接着剤には強力な結合剤が含まれている。
This adhesive contains a strong binding agent.
塗料の結合剤としてアクリル樹脂が使われる。
Acrylic resin is used as a binder in paints.
粘結剤 is a more specific term for a binding agent used in molding sand or powder metallurgy, whereas 結合剤 is a broader term.
Compound of 結合 (binding, union) and 剤 (agent, chemical). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common pattern for technical terms.