For bonding dissimilar materials, adhesives can be a sticking point-or lack of it
- Magazine Article
- 19AUTP05_14
- English
As the auto industry adopts an increasingly wide mix of materials in its pursuit of constantly tougher weight-saving and service-longevity targets, joining mixed materials using precisely-compatible adhesives is a crucial aspect of the formula. Considering the expanding role of adhesives in the mixed-materials matrix, a new warning to design engineers comes from Peter Swanson, Managing Director of adhesives specialist
“Adhesives are commonly specified during product development, often based on functional requirements,” he said. “But when production is upscaled, the chosen adhesive can be less than optimal; application and curing may be difficult, unreliable, challenging to automate and demand too much time. Intended production quantities for a product should always influence adhesive choice.