Certain manufacturing methods are limited in their freedom of design to create complex 3D shapes with integrated ribs or stiffeners. Plastic thermoforming, metal stamping, sheet metal bending and compression molding are some examples of those manufacturing methods that benefit from a secondary step of adding reinforcements.
Plexus has long been one of the leading choices for composite glue, since most Plexus adhesives require little to no surface preparation. Composite to composite bonding for reinforcements is common, as well as using Plexus as a metal to composite glue.
Thermoplastics can be joined by ultrasonic or vibration welding, but that often requires expensive capital investment, may lead to stress cracking and higher variation in dimensional tolerances and limited shape design. Using Plexus adhesives as a permanent thermoplastic glue to bond for reinforcements is a natural choice that leads to long term static and dynamic durability, fast production in addition to a flexible manufacturing site. As with composites, Plexus also bonds mixed materials such as metal to thermoplastics.
Sheet metal has traditionally been thought as required to be welded or riveted, but Plexus structural adhesives for bonding metal have been further enhanced to bond a wider range of metals and coatings. Metal bonding adhesives can often be dispensed significantly faster than welding or riveting, leading to significant production gains. Plexus adhesives distribute stress over a greater surface area than stitch welds, spot welds or rivets.
For more information on Plexus adhesives for metal bonding, please visit our Metal to Metal Bonding Page.
Typical Reinforcing sheet metal with bonded hat section:
Fixturing During Cure
Plexus adhesives are engineered to not only be thixotropic (non-sag), but also to spread very easily. Best practice is to ensure even clamp pressure across the bondline that is sufficient to prevent joint separation until a defined handling strength is achieved.
Here are some tips for such clamping:
Bond Line Read Through (Print Though)
Print through is complicated and includes many influences. Excess pressure on temporary clamping is one factor. Two-part systems can create heat during their reaction and shrink as they cool. This can lead to a visible area on the surface. Read through can be minimized or eliminated, by balancing the things that influence it.
Tips to reduce print through:
Contact us regarding Plexus adhesive solutions to address your project needs
Surface Preparation for Adhesives
Plexus adhesives are engineered to be very robust with either no or minimal surface preparations.
Have a question about your material? Please contact our Technical Service Department.