Structural Adhesives

8Application of Structural Adhesives in Composite Connections

M. D. Banea* and H.F.M. de Queiroz

Federal Centre of Technological Education in Rio de Janeiro (CEFET/RJ), Brazil

Abstract

The use of structural adhesives is increasing significantly with higher composite materials usage in aerospace, transport and marine industries. This chapter presents an overview of recent advances in adhesive bonding of composites. The main factors affecting the performance of composite (limited in this chapter to fibre-reinforced polymers) adhesive joints are presented. Critical aspects, including surface preparation, design and durability are briefly discussed. All these parameters must be taken into account during the design of composite bonded connections. Finally, it ends with recent developments and future trends.

Keywords: Adhesive joints, composite materials, surface preparation, design, durability

8.1 Introduction

Composite materials are increasingly being used in a wide range of applications in aerospace, transport and marine industries, mainly due to their superior strength- and stiffness-to-weight ratios in comparison to metals. The implementation of new materials requires development of new and more suitable joining processes. Adhesive bonding is the preferred joining technique for composite materials mainly because of high fatigue resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio of adhesively bonded joints [1]. Another important advantage of using adhesive bonding is the possibility ...