Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
(OP)
I am building an aluminum toolbox and would like to eliminate as much weld as possible for cost reasons. Are the adheasives strong enough to use without any machanicial fasteners? Any suggestions on design of the joints?





RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Shooting from the hip I would recommend you check out the 5915 grade.
Keep in mind if you decide to go this route that VHB is fantastic in shear + tension, but will allow a little bit of flex (but no disengagement) in twist.
Also, if you are doing super high volutmes it might not be cost effective as full curing time will certainly lead to a longer cycle time than welding (even if you accelerate curing with heat).
Call up 3M (or a distributor like Gleicher Manufacturing... they're a great help) and discuss your application.
Chris Loughnane - Product Design
http://www.pdnotebook.com
http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
POP1, aka Dik
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
I am aware of a very small sample of such logos that 'just fell off'. Given that the parent population is huge, the bond failure rate may be very low, but it is finite. And the applied load is almost vanishingly small.
I recall repairing or replacing some object having a structural VHB bond not long ago, but I'm not recalling what the object was. I do recall being surprised and disappointed that the object 'just fell apart'.
My oldest toolbox was made for the US Army some time prior to 1960, of thin steel, with some lockseam edges and very little welding. It has been repainted twice and is still in service. Given the quantity of hard steel that's been carried around in it over the decades, I'd have to assert that it has no non-structural parts.
IOW, IMHO, I wouldn't use VHB for a structural application at all, and I'd want to have a backup, like pop rivets or RTV, for a decorative application.
Let's guess for now that your toolbox is currently constructed with folds and corner welds.
To replace the welds with VHB, you have to add flanges to get enough bond area. You have to buy more metal to make the flanges, and worry about another set of tolerances for the bending operations, also added.
You also can't have a U-shaped part bonded on three/six edges, because you can't shear/slide the adhesive face during assembly. The face of the tape has to meet the metal in a normal direction, in the exact location it needs to be, exactly once. Then you have to apply a little pressure, again in the normal direction, to set the bond. That makes assembly of a box more complicated than it would be with, e.g., corner welds.
Given that you have to add operations and flanges to use VHB, it would be little more difficult to use lockseams instead, perhaps with some sealant.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Is there an adheasive out there that has the peel strength of VHB and the ease of application of a caulk gun?
You can go to www.precisionmetalkraft.com to view the tool box that I am building.
I am looking outside the "box" for more cost effective reliable methods.
Thanks again you guys are great.
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Nice product. No way would I risk its reputation on VHB.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Thanks for the vote of confidence...I'm and innovator, so finding a newer, better, cheaper, different way of doing things is what I like to do.
Best regards,
ewalk
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
I'm tempted to suggest automating the welding, but I'm aware of an ancient effort to do so that required milling the blanks in order to make them weld at a consistent speed (whereas a welding person compensates automatically).
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Using adheasive instead of weld on aluminim
Not to mention the mirror panels @ chicago o'hare... 23 years and counting.
Chris Loughnane - Product Design
http://www.pdnotebook.com
http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook