Thermal Curing: A Cornerstone of Composite Bonding and the Challenges of VOC Emissions
Thermal curing, the process of hardening adhesives and sealants using heat, is a ubiquitous technique in numerous industrial and product manufacturing processes. In recent years, the composites industry has garnered increasing attention, particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors. This surge in popularity stems from the desire to reduce vehicle and aircraft weight, thereby minimizing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Composite materials , employed in these industries, must possess exceptional tensile strengths and load-bearing capabilities to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures. Three prominent composite bonding methods, each involving adhesive application – secondary bonding, co-bonding, and co- curing with the adhesive – predominantly differ in curing schedules. However, they all rely on heat-cure methods. In all cases, the adhesive composition must be meticulously designed to meet performance requirements under a wide range of conditions. This is why...