“Different materials behave differently when exposed to variations in temperatures," explains Stuart May, sales director, Ashland Performance Materials EMEA Specialities.
|
When bonding a CFRP component to aluminium, the metal expands more than the composite as temperature increases, meaning the bonding agent needs to facilitate a high degree of relative motion in the joint. |
| Stuart May, sales director, Ashland Performance Materials EMEA Specialities |
"As a result, the requirements for the use of structural adhesives in automobile design are complex and differ from application to application. For example, when bonding a CFRP [carbon fibre reinforced plastic] component to aluminium, the metal expands more than the composite as temperature increases, meaning the bonding agent needs to facilitate a high degree of relative motion in the joint. Ashland’s range of Pliogrip structural adhesives provides versatility in use across a broad range of assembly requirements, from body panels, such as roofs and front fenders, to closures, such as doors, trunks, and hoods.”
From January 2013, Ashland will produce the Pliogrip adhesive range in Europe.
Pliogrip adhesives include:
- Pliogrip 5761B for assembly applications requiring high strength bonding and high heat resistance. This two-part toughened epoxy system offers a 60-minute open time with 4 hours handling strength at ambient temperature. It adheres excellently to carbon fibre and withstands short-term temperatures up to 230°C; and
- Pliogrip 7700 for the fastest fixture time at room temperature, available in seven different speed grades. These adhesives are ideal for automotive CFRP applications that require a high surface quality, long-term fatigue resistance and low temperature impact toughness.
The Automechanika trade fair for the automotive industry takes place in Frankfurt on 11-16 September 2012.
