They can join a variety of different materials together, carry a 2,000 kilogram load on a small adhesive surface, and even be sent into space. Since the first patent in 1814, the number and specialty of adhesives have exploded. As part of a new series of general public conferences from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Michel Guillot is lifting the veil on this growing field that he is investigating with his research team.
Adhesives accounted for $49.5 billion in sales in 2016, then $63 billion in 2021. “In two to three years we will probably exceed the 100 billion mark,” predicts the professor from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. And for good reason, you can find them almost everywhere, he lists the possibilities. In electronics, they enable microchips to be fixed in a plastic housing. In aerospace, they are used to assemble thin walls and minimize their weight, “a very important factor in space,” while at the same time withstanding temperature fluctuations and solar radiation. When healthy, they can adhere to “living creatures, bones, tissue.” Not to mention their applications in construction, household appliances and transportation.
Why use adhesives instead of welding or good old rivets and bolts in industrial vehicle assembly? the speaker asks. For aesthetic reasons he answers first, explaining that they leave no marks, no holes, but a smooth surface that is easy to paint. Adhesives also increase stiffness and durability and reduce sheet metal vibrations and noise. They maximize the effectiveness of the connections and prevent moisture penetration between two metal parts, which can lead to galvanic corrosion.
Read further by consulting the ULaval news article.
This talk is part of a series of free conferences offered by Faculty Continuing Education. Discover all upcoming conferences!