Joining Technologies for Composites

Adhesive Bonding – Benefits:

• Well-distributed load transfer when compared to point fasteners
• Durability – fatigue resistance
• ‘Sealed’ joints
• Secondary benefits such as acoustic damping

Joint Design – Key issues:

• Load transfer – in both typical and ‘abuse’ load cases
• Thermal expansion – particularly when mating dissimilar composite and metallic substrates
• Disassembly requirements – for crash repair and end-of-life
• Design for Manufacture – avoiding wipe-off, ensuring consistent gaps, etc.

Bonding Solution – Selection:

• Manufacturing ready – appropriate takt-time for handling strength
• Structural strength within operating conditions
• Environmental resistance – matches or exceeds the substrates
• Hybrid fastener/bonding solutions – can accelerate assembly and affect joint performance

Key Manufacturing Technologies for Production:

• Automated surface preparation – cleanliness and activated bond surfaces
• Repeatable adhesive deposition
• Robust jigging for geometry control, joint creation and accelerated curing
• Non-destructive evaluation of bonds