Structural adhesives are an extremely popular bonding method which are used industry-wide thanks to their long list of benefits.

Read on to find out 10 reasons you should try structural adhesives, as well as our top recommendations from the Tacusil® range.

They’re Great at Bonding Dissimilar Materials:

Structural adhesives can be used to bond dissimilar materials such as plastic to metal or glass to plastic, which other adhesives may not have the ability to. The use of composite materials is on the rise in industries such as transport and engineering as the ability to bond various materials allows manufacturers to create functional and diverse products. Furthermore, using structural adhesives in mixed material bonding means that the process can be adapted with ease based on the specific application requirements.

Light Weight:

Thinner materials can be bonded using structural adhesives as they apply very little additional weight or stress to the substrates. This is particularly effective in the automotive industry as lighter vehicles are increasingly being produced due to a demand for better fuel consumption and eco-friendlier transport.

Reduced Costs:

Structural adhesives cut manufacturing costs as they do not require any additional costly fastening or clamping equipment as well as reducing the number of mechanical fasteners used. Furthermore, lightweight materials are traditionally less expensive to buy, and there is little requirement for repair or replacement work which means reduced production costs.

Shorter Assembly Times:

The implementation of structural adhesives can reduce the assembly time required as they are typically applied across the chosen bonding point in a single step.

Bonding Complex Parts? Structural Adhesives have it covered…

Mechanical fasteners can limit design options for manufacturers as small or complex parts are simply inaccessible. Structural adhesives expand the possibilities as they can be applied in these unattainable areas with ease, allowing for new and innovative designs.

Room for Expansion:

Materials with a different coefficient of thermal expansion can be bonded together with structural adhesives as the flexible nature of the adhesive compensate for the differences in expansion and contraction between the material.

Even Stress Distribution:

Structural adhesives distribute stress evenly across the entire bonded area whilst maintaining structural integrity. Traditional bonding methods such as welds and rivets create stress which is concentrated around their sole attachment area which, in turn, puts pressure on surface. This can lead to weak points across the surface and result in separation or cracking of the substrates.

Easy on the Eye:

Once bonded, structural adhesives leave little to no trace between substrates. Clear formulations, such as Robnor Resinlab PX800F, can be used on any coloured surface. As there is no unsightly bolts or screws attaching the materials, the smooth surface requires no finishing work such as sanding any imperfections caused by welding. Using adhesives also removes the likelihood of corrosion which can occur with metal fasteners.

Diverse Formulations:

Structural adhesives are available with a range of different ncharacteristics which are dependent upon the application requirements. Structural adhesives are available in UV cure formulations, as well as those with varying degrees of chemical and impact resistance. We also have a range of thixotropic structural adhesives in the Robnor portfolio. The sheer versatility of structural adhesives means that there is very little they cannot bond.

Durability:

Structural adhesives are a durable bonding choice as they can provide the necessary impact, vibration and fatigue resistance for even the most challenging applications, such as the bonding of two metals. Furthermore, flexible structural adhesives can be used for bonds which require a degree of movability between substrates.

At Tacusil®, we have a diverse adhesive range available for structural bonding which offers modern fixing solutions for all application requirements. Our adhesive range provides reliable, high strength bonds and includes a vast number of different working and fixing times.