0.2 Advantages of adhesive bonding technology

Like all joining techniques, adhesive bonding also has disadvantages and limitations. These must also be taken into account when developing bonding processes.

The key advantages and limitations are outlined here.

Infinite possibilities:

Combinations of different materials

Freedom of:
Design
Material selection
Manufacturing method

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM

Uniform stress distribution and planar load transfer
-> Utilization of the material strength up to the load limit (weight saving by using lighter or thinner substrates)

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM

Stress distribution for screwed/bolted connections; Local stress peaks

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM

Stress distribution for bonded joints; Uniform stress distribution without stress peaks

Flexibility

Elastic bonding

  • Compensation of substrate elongation due to temperature fluctuations
  • Structural ridgity
  • No damage to materials (holes)
  • Lower stress peaks
  • Substrate properties can be optimally utilized

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM

Preservation of material properties:

  • No heat-affected zone

Adaptability:

Tolerance compensation

  • Gap bridging
  • No time-consuming alignment work

Joining very small components

Source: Wolf GmbH

Manufacture of high-area bonded joints

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM

Integration of other functionalities

  • Sealing
  • Damping
  • Insulation (prevention of contact corrosion)
  • Electrical conductivity

Source: Fraunhofer IFAM