Adhesive Bonding of High Modulus Composite Aircraft Structures

Boron-epoxy composites are presently being utilized for primary aircraft structures. The basic joining technique for these materials of construction is adhesive bonding. This presentation briefly reviews the mechanical properties of adhesive-bonded composites, the techniques for manufacture, and the quality assurance necessary for acceptance of such structures.

The component selected for this study is the production horizontal stabilizer of the F-14 fighter attack aircraft. This component requires structural adhesive bonding between several materials, such as boron-epoxy, titanium, steel, aluminum honeycomb, and fiberglass epoxy, over the temperature range of -67 to 335 F (with data given up to 375 F).