Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Surface preparations for best adhesive results

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic4425.aspx

By funkstar - 1/22/2013 1:35:27 PM

Hello
As the topic says I am wondering about the do;s and dont;s when it comes to fixing both carbon - carbon and alu - carbon stuff togehter. The acutal project I am having will include gluing angular carbonfibre sections to a foam sandwich. As the surfaces are clear I would instinctively use some abrasive to make the epoxy (ET500) grips better. good or bad? what are the thumb rules?

also wondering about how to apply the glue when making a aluminium honeycomb sheet. do I roll it out like paint and then stick the aluminium honeycomb on to the plate or is there another/better method?

Thanks

Per
By Warren (Staff) - 1/23/2013 1:59:36 PM

Hi Funkstar,

We always recommend giving the surface a good key before using any adhesives or bonding anything to it. Generally any medium to coarse papers are fine.  However remember afterwards to ensure the surface is clean and free of sanding dust before you attempt any Bonding.

For bonding aluminium honeycomb sheet we have our ET538 Honeycomb Bonding Epoxy Adhesive which you would ideally spread out in an even layer using a credit card sized piece of plastic as a spreader. 

One tip with honeycombs is when you place the honeycomb in the glue layer, give it a slight wiggle in place so that the glue seats nicely around the aluminium cell edges. This will give a slight miniscus of glue on the cell edge ensuring a better bond than if the honeycomb was just sat ontop of the glue.