Structural bonding merits

From train carriage construction and recreational vehicles, through to lift doors and electric motors, the applications for structural bonding are huge and growing. As well as allowing dissimilar materials and composites to be joined, Henkel structural adhesives provide many performance benefits.

A structural bonded joint can be as strong as an overlap welded joint and twice as strong as a bolted joint. Stress is distributed over the entire bond face and overall weight reduced as thinner gauge materials can be used. The resultant joint is also fully sealed to prevent galvanic corrosion between different materials.

Structural bonding is the field in which Henkel is a leading innovator, an example of which is the development of hybrid adhesives which bring together properties from different structural bonding technologies to expand scope of application. 

Among the products in this category is LOCTITE 4090, a hybrid material combining the rapid fixture setting properties of cyanoacrylate superglue with the excellent chemical and temperature resistance associated with epoxies. And Henkel confirms more hybrids are in the pipeline.

The application of adhesives can be automated to almost any level; simple dispensers can support manual assembly; metered dose equipment incorporated within assembly cells; or fully robotic systems can apply adhesives along complex 2D or 3D paths. For components that require an activator to be applied to accelerate the adhesive cure, this can be automated too.

Benchtop robots represent the pinnacle of automation when combined with the appropriate dispensing equipment and adhesive. Henkel offers manufacturers the benefit of producing all three, ensuring complete solution compatibility.

Stand E30