Epoxy adhesive for structural joints
Definition:
Adhesives are monomeric materials or polymeric compounds which is used to join two separate parts together with a required bond strength. Two common types of adhesives are classified as pressure sensitive and structural adhesives. These adhesives are designed into single components or two components.
Key performance features of three different types of adhesives may be compared as below:
Structural Adhesive:
A structural adhesive is a type of adhesive that fastens after mixing two components to produce high modulus, high strength, and permanent bonds. It should substantially contribute to the structural integrity of continuously stressed assemblies during their expected service lives under relatively severe service environments. There are many types of structural adhesives which include epoxy, silicone, urethane and acrylics etc.
Epoxy adhesives generally provide the highest strength and overall better performance compared to other types of adhesives when it is compared for high performance structural applications. They also provide the best resistance to high temperature, weather, and chemicals. These adhesives can be used to bond wood, concrete, metals etc., and there are flexible epoxy options which are suited for use with some plastics, composites and rubbers etc. They are also suitable as electrically insulating compounds for gap fillings and vibrating parts joining in machine applications.
There are structural adhesives available today which can replace traditional methods of reveting, nut & bolt joints and weld joints etc… So, use of adhesives is advantageous over processes like mechanical jointing, welding or stitching etc. There are certain disadvantages also for epoxy adhesives viz. for larger object joining at smaller joining parts or when the joints are exposed to higher temperatures the joints may become poor.
Structural adhesives are known for their strength. Depending on the end application need, these are designed with short or long pot life, better environmental protection [acid/alkali resistance, outdoor UV durable etc.], flexibility etc.
In various joining applications, the metal distortion and tearing under heavy loads may result into lower part reliability or gapping between fasteners or joints completed using mechanical means. Structural adhesive is the answer for these application need. Structural adhesives have now been developed to the advanced level for replacing traditional joining methods and can replace fabrication of metal panels used in the construction of industrial machine parts, equipment, automotive, households etc.
For joining your machinery parts which needs long time fixing, we at Amatech have developed two components advanced structural adhesive which passes a reverse pull test [press test of joined parts] of over 10 M.Pa meeting and exceeding your structural joining requirements for longer duration.
For further details on structural adhesives, please contact Amatech.