Twenty years; wow that's a stretch for a preventative maintenance schedule.

Ga

I think I think adhesives have replaced spot welds in auto body fabrication/repair too.

Are you really sure of that?

yes

YES He is right, Product called "panel bond" is one manufacture. Intial use was to build tractor trailors.

I have not noticed this phenomena yet

http://www.autobodypro.com/tektips/articles/panel.htm

CHECK OUT THE PRODUCTS FROM EUCLID CHEMICAL CALL THEM AT 281 330 8092

As a Materials & Process Engineer in the aerospce industry, I have used many types of structural adhesives (film, foam & paste) in many different kinds of environments and applications. The longevity of a bond, even under extended periods of stress from an applied load (torque and/or shear, environment, etc.) is only as good as the mechanical strength of the substrate(s) to be bonded, the surface preparation of the substrate and the choice of adhesive to be used. I have used an epoxy paste adhesive to bond the aluminum (or steel) yokes of an automotive driveshaft into filament wound, carbon fiber composite tubes in fabricating composite race car driveshafts for years. Not ONE of those driveshafts required the use of mechanical fasteners (rivets and such) in the bonded area as an additional measure to increase the bond's strength. These driveshafts can withstand applied loads of 1200-1300 ft/lbs of torque and have lasted many years, under extreme conditions and harsh environments. A high percentage of most structural bond failures can be attributed to failure of the mechanical strength of the substrates being bonded and/or the preparation of the substrate's surfaces to be bonded. When the bond process is done correctly, and mechanically tested to failure, the substrate will (and should) fail first, not the adhesive. as the adhesive bond should always be stronger than the components being bonded.

Rocket48

Fantastic! Just what I was looking for. You're erudite explanation of course works towards other applications like painting, etc. How many rather new cars have you seen driving around with sheets of paint that had stripped off the cars, giving them a somewhat mottled look, like a 'rolling Gateway advertisement'?! 'Preparation' is always key to any project.

I would like to contact you directly or vice versa, to maybe get some understanding on the adhesive selection process, if that is okay with you?

Thanks for your time and commentary! I hope it is as useful to others using CR4, which by the way is an excellent repository of information. Thanks to all of you out there and the CR4 Crew!!!!

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future" ~John F. Kennedy~

Sure...I'd be more than happy to talk with you further on this if you wish to! Contact me at my e-mail address:

stromgren_tom@hotmail.com