Introduction
CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is a composite material that uses carbon fiber as a reinforcement and is used in a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods due to its lightweight and high strength properties CFRP is used in many high-performance products due to its strength and durability, but high-performance adhesives are essential in the manufacturing process and repair of these products. This column describes the characteristics, selection criteria, and applications of adhesives used to bond CFRP.
What are CFRP adhesives?
CFRP adhesives are special adhesives used to bond carbon fiber reinforced plastics, providing a strong and durable bonding surface without compromising the strength, light weight, or environmental resistance of CFRP. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate adhesive is very important.
Adhesives are often used in conjunction with CFRP surface treatments (primer treatment, sanding, etc.), which require bond strength, heat resistance, moisture resistance, and shock absorption.
Types of CFRP Adhesives
Adhesives used for bonding CFRP are classified into several types. The following three types are mainly used.
Epoxy adhesives
Epoxy adhesives are one of the most commonly used adhesives for bonding CFRP. Epoxy resins provide very high adhesive strength and good compatibility with CFRP, providing a durable bond.
– Features: excellent bond strength, heat and chemical resistance
– Applications: manufacture and repair of automotive parts, aircraft parts and sporting goods
Polyurethane adhesives
Polyurethane adhesives are flexible and shock absorbent, making them Polyurethane adhesives are flexible and shock absorbent, making them suitable for bonding parts that are prone to vibration and shock. They are also moisture resistant, making them suitable for products used outdoors.
– Features: flexible, shock absorbent, moisture resistant
– Applications: adhesion of automotive parts, outdoor equipment, aerospace parts
Methacrylate adhesives
Methacrylate adhesives are characterized by very rapid curing and are ideal when rapid adhesion is required. They also have high strength and impact resistance, enabling reliable adhesion even in harsh environments.
– Features: fast curing, impact resistance, high strength
– Applications: bonding in high-speed production lines, assembly of large structures
CFRP Adhesive Selection Criteria
When selecting a CFRP adhesive, it is important to consider the following criteria.
Bond strength
CFRP adhesives must have high tensile strength on the bonding surface. Epoxy-based high-strength adhesives are particularly suitable for bonding structural parts and parts subjected to high loads. 2.
Heat Resistance
CFRP products may be exposed to high temperature environments, so adhesives must have excellent heat resistance. Adhesives with high heat resistance temperatures can provide stable performance in harsh environments, such as automobile and aircraft parts.
Moisture Resistance
Moisture-resistant adhesives can maintain stable adhesion for long periods of time even outdoors or in moist environments. Moisture resistance is especially required for CFRP products used on ships and in marine applications.
workability
Ease of work, control of curing time, and effects of temperature and humidity are also important factors. Methacrylate adhesives, for example, cure in a short time and allow work to proceed quickly, which is very useful in sites where speed is required.
impact resistance
Adhesives that resist the impact and vibration to which CFRP parts are subjected are especially important for automotive and aircraft parts. Polyurethane adhesives, for example, are ideal for such applications because of their high flexibility and excellent shock absorption properties.
CFRP Adhesive Applications
CFRP adhesives are used in many industries due to their high strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. Typical applications include
– Automotive Industry: Bonding CFRP components together reduces weight and strength and improves vehicle performance. It is used to bond body and chassis components as well as interior components.
– Aerospace Industry: Lightweight, high-strength CFRP adhesives are essential in the manufacture and repair of aircraft components. They are used to bond engine cowls, wings, and interior components.
– Sporting goods: CFRP adhesives provide weight savings and durability in the manufacture of sporting goods and outdoor equipment (bicycle frames, golf clubs, etc.).
Summary
CFRP adhesives are essential for the efficient bonding of lightweight and strong CFRP components. It is important to select the appropriate adhesive, such as epoxy, polyurethane, or methacrylate based, depending on the environment in which it will be used and the requirements of the part. By using the appropriate adhesive, you can maximize the performance of CFRP products and provide them with high durability and reliability.
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ABOUT UCHIDA - 55 years since our founding
We leverage a wealth of technical expertise as a CFRP molding and processing manufacturer using FRP, GFRP, and CFRP materials. We offer a one-stop solution, encompassing design, analysis, manufacturing, secondary processing, assembly, painting, quality assurance, and testing.
UCHIDA's equipment
We have cutting-edge equipment to ensure that we can address even the most advanced challenges of our customers.
DMG森精機 - VS1000/40/2050
X軸：2,050mm（ストローク） ／ Y軸：1,000mm ／ Z軸：600mm ／ テーブル作業面：2,250×1,000mm
ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 2
Size : Ø1,150x1,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 400℃ / Design pressure : 2.0Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 5
ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 3
Size : Ø3,000x6,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 200℃ / Distribution accuracy : ±2.5℃less / Heating rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Cooling rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Design pressure : 0.99Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Working pressure : 0.7Mpa less (if no specification from the manufacuturer 0.3Mpa around) / Pressure accuracy : ±0.02Mpa（for pressure setting of ０ - 0.99Mpa/cm²） / Boost pressure accuracy : 0 - 0.03Mpa/min / Pressure source : compressed air (regular use) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10
Oven
Size : W1,000xH1,000xD1,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 45min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10
ESPEC CORP.
Temperature & Humidity Chamber
INSTRON
Static Universal Testing Machine 5985
Oven
Size : W7,000xH3,000xD2,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ (Max) / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 60min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10
NEO
X axis : 4,000mm (stroke) / Y axis : 2,000mm / Z axis : 1,200mm / C axis : 0° - ±270° / B axis : 0° - ±110° / Table working place : 4,000x2,000mm
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3Dプリンター | Markforged
Painting booth
Various painting, and clear finish is done in dedicated painting booth
Adhesion, Finishing, Coating Room
Finishing process, such as trimming, drilling, and bonding, surface treatment of the molded product type and is done in a private booth
Toshiba Matrixeye EX (Ultrasonic flaw detector)
Matrix-Arrey : 32
AMETEK CREAFORM Metra
SCAN750 Elite (3D scan)
Olympus Corp.
Inverted Microscopes
Oven
Size : W450xH450xD450mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 650℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature+50 - 650℃/120min less
Cutting Plotter Table working place : W1,500xL3,500mm
SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD
Cutting Plotter
KUKA
Robot
Krauss Maffei
Epoxy resin injection machine Resin 60L ／ Hardener 25L
Krauss Maffei
630t Press machine Height total 5,200mm ／ Length max 1,500mm ／ Width max 1,200mm ／ Whole cycle time per component part 240sec
DMG森精機 - NV5000B/40
X軸：1,020mm（ストローク） ／ Y軸：510mm ／ Z軸：510mm ／ テーブル作業面：1,320×600mm
Big sized clean room
JIS B 9920 cleanliness class maximum concentration (Pcs/m³） / Class 5 : 100,000m³ / Capacity : m² (16,000x16,000mm) 760m² (16,000x16,000x3,000mm) / Temperature and humidity condition : Temperature : 23℃±3℃, Humidity 65% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Temperature -5℃ during winter, Humidity 40% less
CAD / CAM
CATIA V5 : 2 / THINK DESIGN : 1 / MASTER CAM : 4 / Other 3D/CAD : 3 / Other 2D/CAD : 5
Markforged - 3D Printer
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