Quality assurance in adhesive bonding technology

A discussion covers the measures required in assuring quality in the adhesively bonded joint in terms of introduction; planning, concept, design, and final development; the production phase; the usage phase; and cross-process quality assurance (QA) measures. The technical regulations relating to bonding are based on the quality concept. Many process steps can be verified by QA. Proof of usage safety must be obtained. It must be shown that the load capacity throughout the service life is probably greater than the expected loads. Proof has a broader range than as defined in DIN EN ISO 9000. Whether this proof is obtained by the company or by an external inspection agency varies from sector to sector. Quality assurance by process optimization has a significant role in the special processes mentioned in DIN EN ISO 9000 ff such as bonding and welding because non-destructive test methods do not allow verification of compliance. In production, manufacturer-defined processing p arameters for cleaning and pretreatment products, primers, and adhesives must be observed. Changes in parameters should occur only after testing. Examining products after usage can lead to improving products and processes. Certified training courses in QA measures for bonding technology are available. They help recognize and prevent errors from the beginning. The training is at three levels, supra-company, workplace, and product (carried out by adhesive suppliers). The supra-company training courses are for the levels of EWF European Adhesive Bonder, EWF European Adhesive Specialist, and EWF European Adhesive Engineer.