Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAMAdhesive bonding is not always the first choice of joining technique for industrial production. There is still often doubt about this technology. The rail vehicle manufacturing industry has, however, demonstrated how useful adhesives are for securing glass, doors, roof sections, and the driver cab, to name just a few examples. In order to guarantee quality, the course participants at the Training Center for Adhesive Bonding Technology are given an overview of the whole production process. That starts with incoming goods' inspection (e.g. substrates/adhesives), involves matters such as the storage and pretreatment/preparation of materials, and naturally includes the correct processing and application of the adhesives. In addition, the participants learn about aspects such as quality assurance, maintenance, and final product inspection and testing. These fundamental principles are naturally relevant for other industries such as the automotive sector and wind energy.
Fiber reinforced plastics are already used for a host of applications in the aforementioned industries. The low weight and stiffness of FRPs make them ideal for rail vehicle manufacture, the automotive industry, wind energy, and many other industries. The use of FRPs reduces energy consumption, increases efficiency, and lowers emissions. The training courses make participants fully aware of the benefits of these materials and so allow them to exploit their potential. It is especially important to understand the interplay between the fibers and matrix in order to use FRPs effectively. This knowledge also allows any required repairs/maintenance at a later date to be carried out correctly.