Strukturbindungen

Strukturbindungen, a German term often translated as structural bonding or structural adhesion, refers to the use of adhesive materials to join structural components in a way that the adhesive itself becomes an integral part of the load-bearing system. This is distinct from traditional mechanical fastening methods like welding, riveting, or bolting, where separate fasteners are used to transmit loads. In structural bonding, the adhesive distributes stress over a larger area, potentially leading to lighter, more aesthetically pleasing, and more durable joints.

The application of structural bonding is widespread across various industries. In aerospace, it is employed for joining composite materials, reducing weight and improving fatigue resistance. The automotive industry utilizes structural adhesives for body-in-white assembly, enhancing stiffness and crash performance, and also for bonding dissimilar materials like aluminum and steel. In civil engineering, structural bonding is used for applications such as concrete repair, facade panel bonding, and even in the construction of bridges and wind turbines.

Key to successful structural bonding are the selection of appropriate adhesive materials, surface preparation, and precise application techniques. Adhesives commonly used include epoxies, polyurethanes, and acrylics, each offering different properties in terms of strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, and cure time. Proper surface preparation, involving cleaning and sometimes roughening or priming, is crucial for ensuring good adhesion. The load-bearing capacity of a structurally bonded joint depends on factors like the shear strength of the adhesive, the bond line thickness, and the overlap area between the bonded components. Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and chemical exposure must also be considered when designing structurally bonded joints.