Adhesive bonding is an enabling technology that plays a critical role in light-weighting through the efficient and often only means of joining multi-material components. JTRC has provided novel joining solutions to industry-wide applicable problems that have had a significant impact on national and international sustainability and environmental targets. The outcomes of this impact, listed below, have been influential in the areas of mass production light-weight electric motors, recycling of composites, repair, upgrade and life extension of infrastructure.
Joining Technology Research Centre (JTRC)
Director(s): Professor James Broughton
Contact: jtrc@brookes.ac.uk
About us
The Joining Technology Research Centre at Oxford Brookes is recognised as one of the leading establishments providing industry with access to a unique combination of engineering and scientific skills in the UK today. The foundations of JTRC go back to 1968 and the Centre has since established an international reputation for its interdisciplinary approach to joining problems.
In particular, the research team has undertaken a considerable amount of research and development, and has participated in a wide range of knowledge transfer activities in the use of adhesives and sealants for the aerospace, automotive and construction sectors.
JTRC undertakes consultancy and short- and long-term research contracts in most areas of adhesion, adhesive bonding and sealant technology, and failure analysis. Contact us for a preliminary discussion of your requirements.
Related research units
Related courses
- Engineering (MPhil / PhD / Masters by Research / PhD by Published Work)
Leadership
Professor James Broughton
Professor & Research Lead in Engineering
The Disbondable Joints Project is part of the NCC's Technology Pull-through (TPT) Programme and is in collaboration with JTRC. The project aimed to validate and increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of JTRC's academic work on adhesive bonding. Replacing mechanical fixtures with bonded joints can reduce assembly time and decrease structural weight, however modifications and disassembly of these components are complex due to the irreversible nature and high strength of the structural adhesives used. The ability to facilitate disbonding with localised and controlled trigger systems could enable innovation in rework, repositioning as well as increase the ease of disassembly of multi-material structures.
The benefits of successful deployment of this technology into industry include potential innovation in rework for repair, repositioning, modifications, as well as the ability to disassemble structures and multi-materials at end of life.
As a consequence of asset ageing, the extent and use of engineered composite repairs has increased dramatically over recent years. It is now not uncommon to see examples on a range of both onshore and offshore structures, components and equipment. Such repairs present an attractive proposition both technically and financially. However, whilst in general the performance of such repairs has proven to be satisfactory, there continues to be uncertainty relating to their long-term integrity and performance. Whilst at the present time the majority of repairs are applied to non-safety related equipment, engineered composite repairs are increasingly applied to more onerous applications, some of which are considered to be safety critical.
JTRC were commissioned by the Health & Safety Executive to run durability trials to evaluate surface preparation techniques for bonded composite patch repair, according to current Industry Standard Practice. JTRC successfully delivered recommendations and guidance on minimum surface preparation and forms part of the recently updated H&S executive guidance for repair.
A test methodology for screening 3M adhesives subjected to their work environment has been developed using a standard analysis equipment. This includes:
- assessment of substrate properties by testing bulk specimens
- assessment of adhesion at the adhesive-substrate interface of bonded joints (i.e. surface preparation, joint geometry, bondline characteristics)
- bonded joint performance subject to realistic service conditions
- an ability to alter the bondline stress state using the same joint geometry, e.g. shear or cleavage (mixed-mode).
The proposed outcome is a simplification of 3M customer decision process on selecting adhesives and/or comparison against competitor products.
The growth in the use of composite materials systems for different applications involving concrete, metallic and timber structures has highlighted the need for more guidance on the design, application and approval processes. JTRC has developed procedures for the assessment of materials systems on site, involving the development of manufacturing techniques for on-site fabrication of reliable and consistent test pieces.
The major outputs from this project included classification and qualification schemes, together with guidance on their implementation, test protocols (laboratory and site-based), QC test acceptance criteria and practical application guidance.
The Centre is involved in a wide range of industrial research that matches the diverse application of adhesive bonding through all engineering sectors. Of particular note are projects relating to aerospace, automotive, materials and construction. A list of the programmes of research undertaken are listed below:
Aerospace
- Sealing of aircraft integral fuel tanks and test method development
- Optimisation of composite structures
- Development of next generation all composite airframes
Automotive
- Modelling of joints and sub-structures
- Behaviour and modelling of Self-Piercing Rivet (SPR)/ Adhesive hybrid joints
- Static, dynamic and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) behaviour of vehicle panels and jointed components
- Road Vehicle dismantling, reuse and recycling
Materials and surfaces
- In-mould decoration
- Treatment of metals and plastics for bonding and coating
- Flame ionisation and surface modification of timber
- Combined primer/preservative treatment for timber
- Variable modulus adhesive bonding
- Disassembly of adhesive bonded joints
- Design Optimization and Guidelines for Multi-materials Applications (DOGMA)
Construction
- Composite reinforcement of bridges
- Composite materials systems used in civil infrastructure
- Timber connections/repair
- Sealants in curtain walling
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The Centre has been engaged in many successful knowledge transfer activities. These have included:
- the development of bespoke Industrial training courses (see testimonials below) on adhesive technology and composite materials testing
- compiling governmental reports (e.g. Health & Safety Executive) and design guidance for specialist areas (e.g. TR57, complcass.org.uk) like bonded composite repair
- award winning KTP projects.
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Yasa Motors and JTRC award winning KTP Winner for Engineering Excellence Award, KTP Best of the Best Awards Finalist and Best Partnership Award.