New Adhesive Needs and Concepts for the Aircraft and Aerospace Industries

Adhesive bonded components have been utilized successfully in both aerospace and ground vehicles and for many years. This paper examines several new applications for structural adhesives.

Adhesives have proved to be cheaper, lighter, and better performing than their riveted or spot-welded counterparts. Many other advantages of adhesive bonding are cited. Several varieties of adhesive bonding materials in extensive use-including the recent introduction of corrosion resistant primers for use at 250-350 F-are discussed. Among the field problems of adhesive-bonded components are: inferior manufacturing techniques or processing procedures, improper surface preparation of metal adherends, inadequate production inspection procedures, component underdesign, and extreme environmental exposure.

Despite these problems, however, the use of adhesive bonding is expected to increase dramatically as adhesive technology develops further.