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2007
Journal Article
Title
The adhesively bonded car - safer, more economical, more comfortable
Title Supplement
Kleben im Auto - sicherer, ökonomischer, komfortabler
Abstract
The demands being made ofthe automobile industry are constantly increasing: the vehicles need to become ever safer and more comfortable, but must also weigh less and have economical fuel consumption. Such constant progress would not be possible without a highly developed adhesive bonding technology. This ensures that ever lighter materials can be used in the assembly halls and that crash compatibility nonetheless increases. Corrosion protection and insulation against vibration and noise are further factors that increase the value and life of a car. From cylinder head and brake linings to windows, mudguards and tailgate - adhesives are used in more and more sections of the car. A vehicle such as the current BMW 7 Series already contains around 180 metres of adhesive joint. A car coming off the production lines today contains up to 20 kilos of adhesive. Every year the entire transport sector in the EU uses around 250,000 tons of adhesive, and Germany, with 85,000 tons, accounts for over thirty percent of the entire annual production. The application of adhesive bonding in transportation will expand strongly in the future and new concepts are in development to avoid disadvantages of adhesive bonding. Long curing times are among these disadvantages and cure on demand is a desire in many productions.