Adhesives take wing

The development of flight over the last six decades is pretty impressive. Today we jet all over the earth as if it is the most natural thing in the world.

However, no less impressive is the development of adhesives during the same period. Over the years, this practical household helper has become a high-tech tool.

The use of adhesives as a key technological tool has grown steadily. Highly specialized adhesive products have now taken a central role in the aviation industry. Strictly speaking, without the use of adhesives, aircraft would no longer even be able to take off because the wings, fuselage and tail units would lack the necessary stability. Application specific, high-performance adhesives have, in many areas of the industry, taken the place of rivets, bolts and welding and are still gaining ground.

Bonded assemblies can be found in practically all areas of an aeroplane: helping to increase stability, safety and passenger comfort. Today, a modified,
or optimized, epoxy technology is increasingly used in the production of composites, restricting the use of pure metal adhesive to strictly defined areas. One advantage of the adhesive elements in paste form is obvious. Because of its consistency, it can  also be used locally and its compensatory tolerances allow for a stable bond. Also, it offers high stability because the use of adhesives allow the structure to remain intact during the binding process. This offers the chance for new composite materials to be developed. Weight reduction is an economic benefit too. Every kilo that is saved reduces the operating costs of an aircraft; and cuts production costs. – Based upon the overall life of the vehicle fuel consumption is extremely important for both the auto and aviation industries.

Today there are around 250,000 adhesive specialised formulas worldwide, making the adhesive industry one of the most specialised in the world.

With kind permission of: www.feica.com