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Metal Fasteners

HyBe R&D Project - KÖMMERLING

Posted 03 Mar 2022 by Andre Ruth (Strategic Account Manager) and Johanna Sieber (Product Manager), H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling Engineering Adhesives

HyBe - Automated Hybrid Welding of Metal Fasteners to Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Components

H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING is part of the HyBe R&D project that will advance efficient lightweight engineering by developing a fully automated joining process for the rapid joining of metallic fasteners to thermoplastic fiber-reinforced polymer composites.

In the context of the increasing use of lightweight structures across all industries and the associated reduction in CO2 emissions, optimized fastening elements for fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) and their joining processes are becoming more and more important. For easy assembly of metal and FRPC components to superior assemblies, areal force introduction elements are particularly suitable. These elements bond to the FRPC without damaging the fibers, as it is the case with drilling or clinching, leading to a homogeneous load introduction. The aim of the HyBe project is to develop a suitable technology for automated, digitized and energy-efficient inductive joining of metallic fasteners to thermoplastic FRPC. This is achieved by further developing induction welding with regard to cycle time, energy input optimized by finite element methods, in-line quality assurance, redundant process control and a digitized process chain in the manner of industry 4.0. In addition to process development, the characterization of the hybrid joints on the basis of material variations and studies on long-term durability are key elements of the project. By coating the joining surface of the fasteners with optimized adhesion promoters from H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING, high-strength bonds are achieved even with matrix polymers that are difficult to join, such as polypropylene. The result of the project will be an industry-ready hybrid joining process.

Goals

H.B. Fuller | KÖMMERLING’s high performance adhesion promoters currently meet requirements of individual applications in various industries. By developing a next generation of those outstanding bonding agents, we will contribute our expertise and knowledge to improve our world and create an awesome future technology.

 

Project partners:

MiniTec GmbH & Co.KG

Himmelwerk, high and medium frequency equipment GmbH

Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH

 

Funding:

The project "Automated hybrid welding of metal fasteners to fiber-reinforced polymer composites (HyBe)" is funded by the ZIM program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), funding reference: KK5003706FF1

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