Vehicle manufacturing is seeing rapid advancements in keeping pace with rising consumer demands for improved safety and comfort. Modern drivers demand safer, smoother, and quieter rides. Thus, manufacturers are now exploring lightweight options in the assembly of vehicles. The driving performance of a lightweight car is enhanced with a more easily changed motion state where the acceleration, braking and handling performance is boosted, thus assuring drivers of the safety of the vehicle.  The demand for lightweight materials go beyond just weight reduction but has impact on structural efficiency as well as economic and environmental effects.  Reducing the weight of a vehicle consumes less resources and less energy in its manufacturing, thus reducing pollution.    

One carbody component that is impacted by advancing vehicle manufacturing technology is the tailgate.  There has been increasingly industry-wide acceptance of a full plastic tailgate as a safe solution and progressively used in newer models.  Digitalisation and electrification trends in the automotive industry are also seeing considerably automated features such as electronic assisted function in operating the tailgate.  The demand for smart, connected vehicles is also leading to higher quality vehicles with sensor and electronic based components such as rear sensor units.

Such developments in vehicle manufacturing necessitates more progressive means of assembly.  One of which is the use of adhesives in place of mechanical fasteners.  While the traditional use of mechanical fasteners like rivets and bolts can weaken the integrity of the vehicle, adhesives provide uniform and consistent strength throughout as well as buffering between parts.  Modern vehicle manufacturing with its utilisation of various materials, like glass to metal to plastics makes it challenging for drilling as the materials expand at different rates.  This could lead to bonding stress and warping which may impact the structural integrity of the parts.  Adhesives, on the hand, can accommodate the thermal expansion of the substrates even after curing.  Its compatibility with new substrates that comply with multiple material assemblies makes it a suitable enabler for lightweighting.

The demand for lighter weight vehicles is influencing the use of not only lighter weight materials like plastic, but also joining materials that are lighter in weight as well.  Thus, the use of adhesives is becoming more prominent over the selection of metal fasteners.  Adhesives also increase the durability of the bond as they distribute stress evenly throughout thus increasing the strength and durability of the car over time.

Bostik as a leading global adhesives company, is invested in providing safe and stable glue products for exterior attachments applications.  Bostik has an extensive portfolio of smart adhesives that are versatile in their adhesion of various substrates with excellent bonding strength and effective elastic property.

Bostik’s structural adhesives are high modulus, medium modulus, and low modulus for bonding of materials with different stiffness.  Extensive R&D into different technologies have resulted in a comprehensive selection of technical products for a wide range of process conditions. 

Bostik’s range of Acrylic Structural Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives (MMA) is a two-part acrylic adhesive with resin nano strength that provides strong, structural bond.  The SNCF certified formulation has a stable adhesive strength and adhesive body strength that is able to bond a wide range of different materials – from composites to metals and plastics.  The MMA range is highly resistant to environmental ageing and has good construction performance with its fulfilment of gap filling and bonding application requirements.

The Two Component Polyurethane 2KPU provides the ability to bond materials with different stiffness due to its range of different modulus – high modulus, medium modulus, low modulus.  Its high thixotropy levels meets the needs of façade construction while its multiple open time and curing speeds is suitable for different processes. 

Bostik’s Two Component Silane Modification SMP Series is adaptable to a wide range of substrates with its high elasticity and low modulus properties.  Its suitability as a manufacturing option is enhanced by its ability to efficiently bond different CTE materials and its fast-curing speed which accelerates the production process with rapid tack time.  The SMP Series longer lasting bond strength in various harsh environments also makes it a viable adhesive option.

Bostik’s smart adhesives for tailgate, spoilers and hang on parts provide broad design opportunities with their multi-substrate adhesion as well as better performance and durability with high elongation and elasticity.  While the adhesives increase process efficiencies with fast set speeds and room temperature curing, manufacturers are also assured of reduced HSE impact with their low MDI and no NCO.

For more information of Bostik Structural Adhesive, kindly refer to the automotive adhesives and sealants.