Adhesives in metal and lightweight construction - The topic is much more diverse and extensive than just bonding in the automotive or aviation industry. Whether in mechanical engineering, apparatus and equipment engineering, electrical engineering, medical technology or the construction industry - lightweight and therefore resource-saving components are becoming increasingly important. And so are adhesives, which, as the "lightest joining technology", fit perfectly into the lightweight construction concept for bonding metals. Only with a well thought-out and consistent lightweight design can weight and component thickness be reduced in product developments, thus saving energy resources and material costs. This concept can often only be realized with a material mix of metals and other materials.
This places particular demands on the joining technology. In many cases, thin-walled metals, sensitive surfaces, three-dimensionally deformed assemblies or the smallest components have to be joined invisibly and in a way that is gentle on the material and heat. Conventional joining methods such as screws, rivets or welding are not suitable, but neither is every bonding technology. However, RUDERER KLEBETECHNIK GmbH meets these special requirements with its special range of metal adhesives.
Continuous developments in new materials are also leading to ever new and higher demands on joining techniques in the field of metal processing. Designers and technicians are increasingly turning to the method of bonding to join materials together permanently. Whether welded, stamped or riveted components, additional bonding can increase the durability of the joint. In addition to these combinations of joining techniques, also known as hybrid joining, bonding as such has also recently become established for the permanent joining of bare and coated metals. The transmission of force in materials joined in this way does not occur at specific points, but over the entire surface of the bond, so that the corresponding loads act evenly on the components. In addition, the surfaces are not thermally stressed when the adhesive is applied.
The type of materials, geometry and adhesives determine the quality of the bond
Due to the large number of different metals and alloys, various adhesive systems are also used. The type of materials, the geometry of the surfaces to be joined and, last but not least, the adhesive itself are decisive for the quality and durability of a bond. In order to guarantee the best possible wetting of the surfaces with adhesive, the properties of the adhesive, such as composition and viscosity, must be matched to the surface to be bonded. For example, precisely fitting parts, where small surfaces are joined together, place different demands on the adhesive than are necessary for surface lamination. Criteria such as resistance to mechanical loads at different temperatures, changing weather conditions or contact with solvents and other chemicals are decisive for the choice of adhesive. Due to the constant improvement of existing materials, there are growing areas of application in which new requirements are constantly being placed on potentially suitable adhesives.
Bonding metals with reactive adhesives
Bonding with high-performance adhesives is the optimum joining process for creating high-strength and durable joints. Highest strengths are achieved with 2-component reaction adhesives based on epoxy resin and methyl methacrylate (MMA). They cure through a chemical reaction and are ideally suited for metal bonding. The technicoll® metal adhesive is heat-resistant, impact-resistant, pasty, joint-filling and resistant to chemicals and ageing processes. It has a very high strength and is resistant to aggressive environmental conditions. technicoll® metal adhesive is ideal for vertical bonding. As a two-component reaction adhesive, it is very efficient and ensures high-strength constructions of metallic materials that have to permanently withstand loads such as water, heat, pressure or vibration. If a longer processing time is required, e.g. when bonding large surfaces, technicoll® 9469 with a very long pot life of up to 100 minutes can be used as an alternative. Both technicoll® adhesives can be used for a wide range of applications, e.g. structural and construction bonding in vehicle construction and assembly bonding of sandwich elements. They are also well suited for bonding metal inserts and fastenings in thermosets, doubling sheet metal and for surface bonding of different metals and alloys.
Bonding metals with contact adhesives
Contact adhesives are suitable for bonding large areas of metal. Contact adhesives based on polychloroprene (CR) in particular have high adhesion values on metals. The advantage of contact adhesives is their high initial strength. The addition of a cross-linking agent significantly increases the temperature and media resistance of contact adhesives. Important for contact adhesives is the application of adhesive on both sides, the flash-off of the adhesive and joining under short and high pressure. The versatile 1-component contact adhesive technicoll® 9101 based on polychloroprene (CR) has a very high heat resistance (up to +130 °C) and a long contact bonding time. It is perfect for hybrid surface bonding of metal plates and sheets with plastic sheets in lightweight construction, rubber with metals and wood-based materials.
Bonding and sealing in metal construction
Depending on the bonding application, an elastic and vibration-inhibiting bond is required, which must also have a sealing function. Particularly in bodywork, vehicle, apparatus and ship construction as well as in air conditioning and ventilation technology, the visual factor also plays a major role in visible bonding. technicoll® 9707 RLT Silver is a metal-colored, solvent-free, high-performance hybrid adhesive for stress-equalizing bonding and sealing a wide variety of materials indoors and outdoors. This odorless and elastic adhesive and sealant withstands water and chemicals, is resistant to temperature, weathering and aging and is free of solvents and silicones. technicoll® 9707 RLT Silver is approved for use in ventilation and air conditioning systems (RLT) as it complies with the VDI guidelines for breathing air that is safe for health.
Bonding metals requires particularly reliable adhesives. In addition to the area of application, the type of metal is particularly important for the correct selection of an adhesive suitable for metal. RUDERER KLEBETECHNIK GmbH supports you in selecting the right adhesive for your individual application, both with its extensive range of special adhesives and with the know-how provided by its bonding experts in the form of individual application advice.
