Adhesive bonds hold machines and plants together

In industry, adhesive bonding is often the only way to permanently join structural parts made of a wide variety of materials without damaging the material. Special high-tech adhesives are available for this purpose.

In the production and assembly of machines, systems and equipment, precision, dynamics, robustness, appearance and functionality are all important. Where metals are structurally bonded to each other or to other materials, fiber composites are used and manufacturing processes have to be optimized, the joining technology of adhesives is used. When selecting the optimum adhesive, it is therefore important to know the exact requirements. Does the adhesive permanently withstand high temperatures and external influences? Does it provide sufficient strength? Does it have mechanical properties that ensure process reliability? Does it allow short cycle times? Does it cure transparently? All these questions determine process reliability and product quality in apparatus and equipment engineering.

To meet the high safety requirements at the workplace, machines often need specially shaped protective hoods. These are usually made of transparent plastics such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). As a rule, PC is a relatively easy material to bond. However, if this is bonded into a painted metal frame of a CNC milling machine, for example, a suitable adhesive must adhere firmly and securely to both the plastic and the painted surface and be able to bridge any gaps that occur. The 2-component PUR adhesive Technicoll 9430-1 has proved most suitable for this structural adhesive bond. It can fill gap dimensions, absorbs vibrations and optimizes cycle times in production due to its defined curing time. However, the diffusion adhesive Technicoll 8008 is also a good alternative. Both 1- and 2-component reactive adhesives based on EP (epoxy resin), MMA (methyl methacrylate) and, in some cases, PUR (polyurethane) are suitable for bonding bare metals to thermoset plastics. High-strength, static and durable adhesive bonds between bare metals and thermosetting plastics are achieved with the tough-elastic 2-component MMA adhesive Technicoll 9412.

When welding metal parts, the material can warp due to the high temperatures. If this conventional joining process is to be dispensed with in metal bonding, the adhesives used must exhibit the highest strengths. These strengths can be achieved with temperature-resistant 2-component adhesives based on epoxy resin. If the bonding process also requires fast cycle times, fast-curing MMA high-performance adhesives such as Technicoll 9403 or Technicoll 9411 are ideal. For large-area metal bonding, contact adhesives based on polychloroprene (CR) should be used. If the workpiece is exposed to high temperatures or moisture, an additional crosslinker is advisable. Technicoll 9411 is also a special adhesive solution for metals that are subsequently powder-coated. Since classic metals such as iron, steel and stainless steel have different properties than non-ferrous metals, the adhesives mentioned are formulated to perfectly handle this material mix even under mechanical stress.

Such high strength is also required in modern conveyor technology. When conveyor belts tear or become porous, immediate repair is often necessary. To ensure that bonded joints remain elastic in the non-permeable material rubber and permanently stable despite pressure and heat, crosslinked contact adhesives such as Helmitin 14030 with Swifthardener 9502 should be used. Contact adhesives are the only adhesives that provide measurable instant strength and are equivalent to mechanical anchorage. For repairing conveyor belts with rubber treads, 2-K polychloroprene adhesives are suitable, for example, Helmitin 14026 with Swifthardener 9503 from H.B. Fuller.

A high-quality adhesive and sealant can also prevent screws from coming loose. When it is applied between the male and female threads and hardens, it reinforces the holding force of a mechanically joined connection. At the same time, it completely fills the gap between the parts and provides optimum vibration resistance and good protection against corrosion. For screw locking, thread and surface sealing, Ruderer Klebetechnik offers anaerobic adhesives and sealants (TM11, 44 and 66) as well as a universal 4-in-1 gel (TT69) from the manufacturer H.B. Fuller.

Only functional machines and plants can be used highly effectively. They are a guarantee for the competitiveness of a company. Due to today's high degree of automation, manufacturing processes often take place without human intervention. Long downtimes or production losses would mean an enormous loss of profitability and efficiency. In order to ensure the functionality of the machines, general-purpose adhesives such as Technicoll 9411 or MS adhesives are suitable for maintenance tasks.

High-performance adhesives are an essential component of corporate value creation, as they minimize the risk of breakdowns and help machines to achieve a long service life. Ruderer Klebetechnik GmbH's innovative adhesive formulations are based on decades of experience and all the knowledge about the special features of different materials. Whether complex assemblies of display or electronic housings, injection molded parts made of polypropylene (PP), specially shaped cover or machine protection hoods - where design, individuality and multifunctionality are required, there is no getting around the resistant and high-performance adhesive solutions from Ruderer in apparatus and equipment manufacturing. (OM-06/23)