Adhesives
Adhesives play an important role in bonding composite structures. However, creation of joints presents one of the greatest challenges in lightweight composite structures, particularly when applied to high volume manufacture because of the lack of history and general experience.
In principle, adhesive joints are structurally more efficient than mechanically fastened joints because they provide better opportunities for eliminating stress concentrations. However, adhesive joints tend to lack structural redundancy when a joint fails, and are sensitive to manufacturing deficiencies, such as poor bonding technique and inadequate fit of mating parts. Adhesives are also affected by temperature and environmental effects such as moisture.
Detailed design and analysis can identify and suppress the local features which initiate failure in the otherwise relatively low loaded bulk adhesive of a composite joint.
Engenuity can offer specialist expertise in detailed design and analysis of all aspects of bonding composites, to ensure effective solutions which meet highest specifications in terms of product performance, manufacturability, maintenance and cost effectiveness.
We have been advising and specifying which adhesives and composite joint structures are suitable for use in a future generation of mass production plastic composites vehicles, working with leading OEMs and research bodies over a number of years and have advised numerous clients in aerospace and sporting goods on similar topics.