Bonded assembly and method for this assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a bonded assembly comprising a first element (4; 24) having a first bonding surface (4a; 24a) and a bearing region (4b; 24b) surrounding the first bonding surface, a second element (6; 26) having a second bonding surface (6a; 26a), a non-crosslinked mastic bead (12) surrounding the first and second bonding surfaces (4a, 6a; 24a, 26a) and squashed between the bearing region (4b; 24b) and the second element (6; 26), and a cured adhesive (8) in contact with the first and second bonding surfaces and isolated from the outside by a seal comprising the non-crosslinked mastic bead (12).

Description

Description Title: GLUED ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR THIS ASSEMBLY Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for producing bonded assemblies. These techniques can be used in various fields of construction or industry, such as for example for fixing elements to a wind turbine mast or to a floating building such as a ship or a platform. Prior art

[0002] Bonded assemblies use adhesives that require curing or polymerization time. This is particularly the case for two-component adhesives.

[0003] Glued assembly techniques, described in particular in WO 2010 / 146321 A1, can be used to make connections between structural elements or to reinforce a structural element.

[0004] In some proposals, such as those described in US 4,842,912 A and WO 2017 / 089668 A1, an installation tool is used to hold a mechanical connector in place during the adhesive curing phase, which lasts from about 5 minutes to more than an hour. The installation tool is immobilized during the curing time and therefore cannot be used for the installation of other connectors. If several connectors are to be installed with a single tool, the immobilization of the latter reduces productivity.

[0005] In WO 2010 / 146321 A1 and WO 2017 / 089668 A1, the bonded assemblies use a crosslinked elastomer seal that is compressed to delimit a sealed volume containing the adhesive. After curing, the elastomer seal remains compressed to maintain the seal and protect the adhesive from the external environment. The crosslinked elastomer seals are capable of absorbing surface irregularities of the two joined elements and ensuring the seal. In the case of a small connector, for example with a diameter between 25 mm and 500 mm, the O-rings have a thickness of the order of 1 mm to 10 mm. Surface irregularities of several millimeters can then be too large and make the adhesive accessible to the external environment, thus affecting the durability of the bonded assembly. In addition, crosslinked elastomer seals have elastic behavior, which means that they exert a restoring force when compressed.If the installation tool is removed too early, this springing force is likely to cause the facing surfaces to move apart before the adhesive has completed its cure, thus compromising the integrity of the adhesive layer between these surfaces.

[0006] There is a need to overcome this type of limitation and have a reliable and efficient technique for joining two elements. Summary

[0007] A glued assembly is proposed, comprising: - a first element having a first bonding surface and a support zone surrounding the first bonding surface; - a second element having a second bonding surface; - a bead of non-crosslinked mastic surrounding the first and second bonding surfaces and crushed between the support zone and the second element; and - a cured adhesive in contact with the first and second bonding surfaces and isolated from the outside by a seal comprising the non-crosslinked mastic bead.

[0008] The joint using a non-crosslinked sealant crushed between the first and second elements conforms to the facing surfaces of the two elements while admitting that one or other of these surfaces has irregularities.

[0009] Uncrosslinked sealant has negligible elasticity and, on the other hand, a sticky, or tacky, behavior. This makes assembly easier since the joint material tends to hold the two elements together rather than pushing them apart. If the installation of the second element uses a vacuum, a suction effect is obtained at the interface between the two elements and this suction effect makes it possible to disassemble the installation tool without waiting for the adhesive to harden.

[0010] The first element may include a groove formed between the first bonding surface and the bearing area.

[0011] The support zone may comprise, along its circumference, a protuberance oriented towards the second element and coated by the non-crosslinked mastic.

[0012] The first member may include a first portion having the first bonding surface, and a second portion having the bearing area. The second portion may include a lip that extends inwardly from the bearing area and is arranged to cover an outer edge of the first portion. A desiccant may be housed between the first and second portions.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the seal further comprises an elastomer portion surrounding the bead of non-crosslinked mastic, so that the crushing of the bead of non-crosslinked mastic is carried out by contact between the support zone and the mastic, on the one hand, and by contact between the second element and the mastic, on the other hand.

[0014] The first element may comprise at least one hole opening onto the first bonding surface. The hole may open onto a surface of the first element opposite the first bonding surface, the bonded assembly further comprising a shutter arranged in the hole to admit fluid circulation only from the first bonding surface to the opposite surface.

[0015] The first bonding surface may include reliefs.

[0016] Non-crosslinked sealant is, for example, butyl-based.

[0017] There is also provided a method of assembling a first element with a second element, in which the first element comprises a first bonding surface and a bearing zone surrounding the first bonding surface, in which the second element comprises a second bonding surface, in which a bead of non-crosslinked mastic is arranged on the bearing zone around the first bonding surface. This method comprises: - placing an adhesive between the first and second bonding surfaces; - reduce the pressure within a volume adjacent to the second element and containing the first element; - moving the first element towards the second element to crush the uncrosslinked bead of mastic; and - allow the adhesive to harden between the first and second bonding surfaces.

[0018] In one embodiment of the method, the volume adjacent the second member may include a first volume and a second volume on either side of a piston. The first member may be mounted on the piston and contained within the second volume. Moving the first member toward the second member may include applying a lower pressure in the second volume than in the first volume to slide the piston toward the second member.

[0019] An assembly tool comprising an enclosure delimiting the volume adjacent to the second element can be disassembled after moving the first element towards the second element. This disassembly can in particular take place before the adhesive hardens.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a structural element to be bonded, comprising: - a bonding surface extending perpendicular to an assembly direction; - a support zone surrounding the bonding surface; and - a bead of non-crosslinked mastic arranged along the support area and projecting, along the assembly direction, beyond the bonding surface.

[0021] The support area may be set back from the bonding surface depending on the assembly direction.

[0022] The structural element to be bonded may further comprise a dose of adhesive placed on the bonding surface.

[0023] The adhesive dose can be isolated from the outside by a peelable film. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of a bonded assembly; - Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a connector usable in the embodiment of Figure 1; - figures 3 and 4 are a sectional view showing details of the connector in alternative embodiments; - Figures 5 to 8 are schematic sectional views of other embodiments of the assembly of a connector; - Figures 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating an example of a method of bonding a bonded assembly of the invention; and - Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a bonded assembly applied to the reinforcement of a structure. Description of embodiments

[0025] The present invention provides a technique for assembling a first element with a second element. Various embodiments are possible.

[0026] In that illustrated by figure 1, the first element is a connector 4 used to mount a structure not shown, which may be of any type, on a support 6 constituting the second element.

[0027] The connector 4 and the support 6 each have a bonding surface 4a, 6a placed opposite each other. A cured adhesive 8 is in contact with the two bonding surfaces 4a, 6a. The adhesive may be, for example, based on epoxy, acrylic or methacrylate resin.

[0028] Opposite the bonding surface 4a, the connector 4, shown as an example in FIG. 1, has a head 2 which can be configured so as to allow the mounting of other members on the support 6, for example with a stud, a male or female thread, a portion arranged for a clip-on, pin, key connection, etc.

[0029] The bonding surface 4a of the connector 4 is for example a flat surface if the support 6 is itself flat. Its contour can be of various shapes, for example circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc. The bonding surface 6a is the area of ​​the support 6 on which the connector 4 will be installed. In the example shown, the connector 4 has an axis of symmetry X arranged perpendicular to the facing bonding surfaces 4a, 6a. In this regard, the axis X can be referred to as representing a direction of assembly of the two elements 4, 6.

[0030] In the example of Figure 1, the bonding surface 4a of the connector 4 is surrounded by a groove 4c. If an excess of adhesive 8a is present in the fluid state during the assembly, the groove 4c can serve as an overflow.

[0031] Around the bonding surface 4a, and where appropriate the groove 4c, the connector 4 has a bearing area 4b. Relative to the assembly direction X, the bearing area 4b is set back from the bonding surface 4a. The bearing area 4b has a circumferential recess 4d. A bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 is housed in the circumferential recess 4d and extends along the bearing area 4b to surround the bonding surfaces 4a, 6a. As shown in FIG. 1, the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 is crushed between the support 6 and the bearing area 4b of the connector 4.

[0032] The non-crosslinked mastic of the bead 12 is deformable. The bead 12 of non-crosslinked mastic arranged between the bearing zone 4b and the support 6 is crushed and deformed by matching the shape of the surfaces with which it is in contact. When it is crushed between the bearing zone 4b and the support 6, it provides a seal of the volume between the bonding surfaces 4a, 6a. If irregularities are present on the surface of the support 6 receiving the connector 4, the non-crosslinked mastic deforms to match these irregularities and ensure the required seal.

[0033] An example of a material that can be used as a non-crosslinked sealant is non-crosslinked butyl sealant. In particular, a material of the isobutylene-isoprene (HR) type can be used. The rheological properties of these butyl sealants allow them to deform by crushing, with very low elastic force restitution, while maintaining the cohesion necessary for a good seal.

[0034] Butyl sealants also have a sticky behavior which makes them contribute to retaining the connector 4 on the support 6. The non-crosslinked sealant of the bead 12 has viscous properties which allow it to adhere to the support zone 4b and to the support 6. These properties contribute to maintaining the assembly.

[0035] A sealed space 14 containing the cured adhesive 8 is delimited by the cord 12, the connector 4 and the support 6. The cured adhesive 8 is therefore protected from external aggression.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the connector 4 already filled with the bead of non-crosslinked mastic 12, before assembly with the support 6. This pre-filled connector 4 can be offered commercially, individually or in batches, to make assemblies on various supports 6.

[0037] Figure 2 shows the plane P of the bonding surface 4a, with the support zone 4b located in the recess. On the other hand, the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12, which has not yet been crushed, projects, along the assembly direction X, beyond the bonding surface 4a, that is to say it protrudes from the plane P. Thus, when the connector 4 is moved, along the direction X, towards the support 6, the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 comes into contact with the support before the bonding surface 4a, and it is crushed in the gap existing between the support zone 4b and the support 6.

[0038] The pre-filled connector 4 may be provided with a peelable film 9 which envelops the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 in order to protect it and prevent its surface from drying out upon contact with air. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the film 9 covers the support zone 4b, with the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12, as well as the bonding surface 4a. The film 9 is removed by the user before assembling the connector 4 on the support 6.

[0039] Still in this example of figure 2, the connector 4 is further provided, from its manufacture, with a dose of adhesive 7 placed in the center of the bonding surface 4a and which can be covered by the film 9. This is for example an adhesive which can be activated by heating or by radiation. The activation of the adhesive is then carried out during the assembly process.

[0040] The adhesive 8 is present in a fluid state between the bonding surfaces 4a, 6a before bringing them together. The adhesive 8 spreads along the bonding surfaces 4a, 6a during this bringing together. The excess can be accommodated by the overflow groove 4c. When bringing the bonding surfaces together 4a, 6a, the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 may come into contact with the bonding surface 6a before or after the adhesive 8.

[0041] In one embodiment, the adhesive 8 is of the two-component type. If they are not pre-installed in the factory on the bonding surface, the components to be combined to chemically activate the adhesive are mixed to form a nut deposited on the bonding surface 6a or 4a before bringing the connector 4 closer to the support 6.

[0042] Once the bead of uncrosslinked sealant 12 has been sufficiently crushed, it takes a few minutes to an hour or more for the adhesive to fully cure. During this time, the tacky behavior of the sealant in the bead 12 helps to hold the connector 4 to the support 6.

[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the connector 4 has a circumferential protuberance 16 in the support zone 4b. This protuberance 16 cooperates with the bead of non-crosslinked mastic 12 which, when crushed, coats the protuberance 16. The mastic of the bead 12 spreads more on either side of the support zone 4b than in the embodiment of Figure 1. A minimum thickness 13 of non-crosslinked mastic separates the protuberance 16 from the support 6. This conformation of the support zone 4b ensures reinforced protection of the adhesive layer 8 with respect to the external environment.

[0044] The end 16a of the annular protrusion 16 may be flat. For example, the protrusion 16 may have a trapezoidal section as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0045] Figure 4 is a detail view of another embodiment in which the seal comprising the non-crosslinked sealant also has an elastomeric portion which surrounds the bead.

[0046] In this embodiment, the non-crosslinked mastic bead 12 is divided into two parts 12a, 12b. The seal housed in the recess 4d of the support zone 4b, comprises an elastomer ring 10a coating and separating the two parts 12a, 12b. The coating of the two parts 12a, 12b by the elastomer ring 10a is such that the crushing of the bead 12 is carried out by contact between the support zone 4b and the part 12a, on the one hand, and by contact between the support 6 and the part 12b, on the other hand. In this way, the force provided by the crushing is concentrated on the two parts of mastic 12a, 12b which deform and the return forces due to the elastic nature of the elastomer ring 10a are reduced.

[0047] In some embodiments of the bonded assembly, a hole formed in the connector 4 opens onto the bonding surface 4a. The hole may further open onto a surface of the connector 4 opposite its bonding surface 4a.

[0048] In the embodiment of Figure 5, the hole is formed by an axial channel 20 opening, on the one hand, onto the bonding surface 4a at one end 20a and, on the other hand, onto a surface 4e of the connector 4 located opposite the bonding surface 4a at one end 20b. The surface 4e is for example on the head 2 of the connector 4.

[0049] A shutter 22 is arranged in the channel 20 and between the two ends 20a, 20b. The shutter 22 has a non-return valve function: it establishes a direction of circulation of fluid only end 20a to end 20b. For example, the shutter 22 may be a swing valve, a guided valve or a ball valve.

[0050] The non-return valve function of the shutter 22 maintains the sealing of the space 14 since fluid cannot circulate from the outside to the inside of the space 14. On the other hand, if an excess of adhesive 8a in the fluid state is present during the production of the assembly, the hole 20 can serve as an overflow and the shutter 22 can evacuate part of the excess adhesive.

[0051] The shutter 22 serves as a valve to evacuate the air trapped in the space 14 during the crushing of the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12.

[0052] In the variant illustrated in Figure 6, the channel 20 provided with the shutter 22 is not axial. It opens into the space 14 at the level of the overflow groove 4c. Several channels 20 of this type can be distributed along the circumference of the connector 4.

[0053] It is possible to distribute reliefs (not shown) on the bonding surface 4a of the connector 4, in order to ensure a minimum thickness of the adhesive layer 8.

[0054] Alternatively, a minimum thickness of the adhesive layer 8 is ensured by placing shims on the bonding surface 6a of the support 6.

[0055] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the connector 4 comprises a first portion formed by a body 32 covered with a capsule 34 forming a second portion. The bonding surface 4a belongs to the body 32, while the support zone 4b belongs to the capsule 34.

[0056] In this example, the connector body 32 is a part that widens from the head 2 of the connector to the periphery of the bonding surface 4a. The capsule 34 comprises a part 34a fixed in a sealed manner to the body 32 near the head 2. This sealed fixing can be carried out by welding, bonding, screwing, crimping, in addition to an additional seal, for example. The capsule forms a rigid skirt that surrounds the connector body 32 and ends at the bearing zone 4b which, as in the previous embodiments, has a circumferential recess 4d to receive the bead of non-crosslinked mastic 12.

[0057] The connector body 32 shown as an example in FIG. 7 does not have an overflow groove. During assembly, excess adhesive 8a may flow into the gap between the body 32 and the cap 34.

[0058] It is possible to make at least part of the capsule 34 from a transparent material, for example glass or polyethylene terephthalate, to allow a user to carry out visual checks during the assembly and to verify the correct filling and uniformity of the adhesive which overflows at the periphery of the body 32.

[0059] A desiccant may also be provided between the capsule and the body to absorb moisture and thus reduce the effect of any moisture migration inside the capsule, for particularly exposed cases, for example in a marine environment.

[0060] In the variant of Figure 8, the capsule 34 extends inwards from the support zone 4b, by a lip 35 which extends from the internal side of the circumferential recess 4d receiving the bead of non-crosslinked mastic 12. This lip 35 is configured to cover the outer edge 33 of the connector body 32 around the entire circumference thereof.

[0061] The lip 35 can provide a non-return valve function, similarly to the shutter 22 of FIGS. 5 and 6. It makes it possible to contain the adhesive 8 in the fluid state under the connector body 32 up to a certain pressure threshold and then allow the excess adhesive to escape beyond this threshold.

[0062] A method of assembling the connector 4 on the support 6 is illustrated by figures 9 and 10.

[0063] The method uses an assembly tool 36 similar to that described in WO 2017 / 089668 A1, to which the reader may refer. In the example shown, the assembly tool 36 comprises an enclosure 38 delimiting, with the surface of the support 6, a sealed volume 44.

[0064] The enclosure 38 is designed to rest on the support 6 by means of an annular seal 40. The enclosure 38 rests on the support 6 so that the volume 44 adjacent to the support 6, and delimited by the enclosure 38 is sealed. The connector 4 is placed in this sealed volume 44.

[0065] The assembly tool 36 comprises, in the enclosure 38, a piston 46 whose lower face comprises a sleeve 46a intended to receive the head 2 of the connector 4 or a part fixed to the head 2. The piston 46 slides in the assembly direction X. A sliding seal 48 is arranged between the enclosure 38 and the piston 46 so that the volume 44 is separated into two sealed volumes on either side of the piston 46: an upper volume 44a and a lower volume 44b on the side of the support 6. The sliding seal may be a quadrilobe seal, for example.

[0066] The upper volume 44a is delimited by the enclosure 38 and the piston 46.

[0067] The lower volume 44b contains the connector 4 and is delimited by the substrate 6, the enclosure 38 and the piston 46.

[0068] In the example of Figure 9, it is a connector 4 such as that of Figure 2 which has been placed in the enclosure 38. After removal of the peelable film 9 and activation of the adhesive 8 (the following operating procedure also applies in the case of two-component adhesives), a reduction in pressure is applied in the enclosure 38. The pressure in the sealed volume 44 is reduced by opening a high valve 54 and a low valve 56 connected respectively to the high volume 44a and to the low volume 44b. These valves 54, 56 connect the interior of the enclosure 38 with a pumping system not shown.

[0069] The pumping system brings a lower target pressure into the sealed volume 44 than outside the enclosure 38. The target pressure is a pressure close to vacuum; it may be, for example, lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water, or low enough to allow a target force to be reached between the sealed volume 44 and the outside.

[0070] Once the target pressure is reached in the sealed volume 44, the high valve 54 fills the high volume 44a with outside air. There is then a lower pressure in the low volume 44b than in the high volume 44a.

[0071] This pressure difference causes the piston 46 and the connector 4 to slide until they reach the support 6 (arrow 60 in figure 9).

[0072] The depression in the lower volume 44b is maintained until (i) the bead of uncrosslinked mastic 12 is crushed, to achieve the desired seal, and (ii) the adhesive in the fluid state spreads between the bonding surfaces 4a, 6a, or even overflows through the holes or overflows provided in the connector 4, as described previously.

[0073] At this point, it becomes possible to deactivate the pumping system and remove the assembly tool 36, releasing the head 2 of the connector 4 from the sleeve 46a (arrow 62 in Figure 10).

[0074] One or more of the following factors then contribute to the retention of the connector 4 on the support 6: - the sticky behavior of the non-crosslinked sealant 12; - the suction effect resulting from the lower pressure prevailing in the space 14 between the support 6 and the connector 4, closed by the bead of non-crosslinked mastic which has been crushed to form a watertight barrier, compared to the atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the connector 4 once the depression in the enclosure 38 has been removed.

[0075] Tests have shown that this suction cup effect is very robust. As a result, the sealing of the space 14 occupied by the adhesive is preserved without it being necessary to keep the assembly tool 36 in place during the polymerization (hardening) of the adhesive 8. This tool can therefore be reused immediately, or shortly after, to carry out the similar assembly of another connector 4.

[0076] The method therefore makes it possible to allow the adhesive 8 to harden without waiting for this hardening to be completed in order to reuse the assembly tool 36 elsewhere.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment of the method, an actuator is used to push the piston 46 into the enclosure 38 where the pressure has been reduced.

[0078] In the above description, the two elements assembled by means of the method are respectively a connector 4 and a support 6. The assembly method, however, has other applications.

[0079] In particular, Figure 11 illustrates an application case where the first element comprises a reinforcement 24 and the second element a substrate 26 which needs to be reinforced, because it is damaged or needs to be able to absorb greater forces.

[0080] Similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8, the reinforcement 24 and the substrate 26 each have a bonding surface 24a, 26a placed opposite each other. A bead of non-crosslinked mastic 12 is inserted at the periphery of the reinforcement 24 forming a support zone 24b to surround the bonding surfaces 24a, 26a.

[0081] The reinforcement 24 has in its center an opening 24c forming a channel 24d opening, on the one hand, onto the bonding surface 24a and, on the other hand, onto a chamber 30. The chamber 30 is closed by a cover 28 which is arranged on a surface 24e opposite the bonding surface 24a.

[0082] If an excess of adhesive 8a is present in a fluid state during the assembly, the chamber 30 can serve as an overflow, similarly to the cylindrical channel 20 of FIG. 5.

[0083] The contribution of the adhesive 8 (which is cured) and the retention factors of the connector 4 on the support 6 mentioned above allow the assembly (the bonded assembly thus formed) to have ultimate resistance to stresses of up to 300 kN, said stresses being tensile stresses, shear stresses or a combination of tensile and shear stresses.

[0084] In addition, the first element can have a function other than reinforcement. Possible applications are, for example, paving a substrate, connecting it to a solar panel, or coating a substrate, etc.

Claims

Claims

1. Bonded assembly, comprising: - a first element (4; 24) having a first bonding surface (4a; 24a) and a support zone (4b; 24b) surrounding the first bonding surface; - a second element (6; 26) having a second bonding surface (6a; 26a); - a bead of non-crosslinked mastic (12) surrounding the first and second bonding surfaces (4a, 6a; 24a, 26a) and crushed between the support zone (4b; 24b) and the second element (6; 26); and - a cured adhesive (8) in contact with the first and second bonding surfaces and isolated from the outside by a seal comprising the non-crosslinked mastic bead (12).

2. A bonded assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first element (4) comprises a groove (4c) formed between the first bonding surface (4a) and the bearing zone (4b).

3. Bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 and 2, in which the support zone (4b) comprises, along its circumference, a protuberance (16) oriented towards the second element (6) and coated by the non-crosslinked mastic.

4. Bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first element (4) comprises a first portion (32) comprising the first bonding surface (4a), and a second portion (34) comprising the support zone (4b).

5. A bonded assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second portion (34) comprises a lip (35) which extends inwardly from the bearing area (4b) and is arranged to cover an outer edge (33) of the first portion (32).

6. A bonded assembly according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein a desiccant is housed between the first and second portions (32, 34).

7. A bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the joint further comprises an elastomer portion (10a) surrounding the bead of uncrosslinked mastic (12), such that the crushing of the bead of uncrosslinked mastic is effected by contact between the bearing zone (4b) and the mastic, on the one hand, and by contact between the second element (6) and the mastic, on the other hand.

8. Bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the first element (4) comprises at least one hole (20) opening onto the first bonding surface (4a).

9. A bonded assembly according to claim 8, wherein the hole (20) opens onto a surface (4e) of the first element (4) opposite the first bonding surface (4a), the bonded assembly further comprising a shutter (22) arranged in the hole to admit a circulation of fluid only from the first bonding surface to the opposite surface.

10. A bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first bonding surface (4a) comprises reliefs.

11. A bonded assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the non-crosslinked sealant is butyl-based.

12. A method of assembling a first element with a second element, wherein the first element (4) comprises a first bonding surface (4a) and a bearing zone (4b) surrounding the first bonding surface, wherein the second element (6) comprises a second bonding surface (6a), wherein a bead of non-crosslinked mastic (12) is arranged on the bearing zone (4b) around the first bonding surface (4a), the method comprising: - placing an adhesive between the first and second bonding surfaces (4a, 6a); - reducing the pressure within a volume (44) adjacent to the second element (6) and containing the first element (4); - moving the first element (4) towards the second element (6) to crush the bead of uncrosslinked mastic (12); and - allow the adhesive (8) to harden between the first and second bonding surfaces.

13. The assembly method of claim 12, wherein the volume (44) adjacent the second member includes a first volume (44a) and a second volume (44b) on either side of a piston (46), wherein the first member (4) is mounted on the piston and is contained within the second volume (44b), and wherein moving the first member (4) toward the second member (6) includes applying a lower pressure in the second volume (44b) than in the first volume (44a) to slide the piston (46) toward the second member (6).

14. An assembly method according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein an assembly tool (36) comprising an enclosure (38) delimiting the volume (44) adjacent to the second element is disassembled after moving the first element (4; 24) towards the second element (6; 26).

15. An assembly method according to claim 14, wherein the disassembly of the assembly tool (36) is carried out before the adhesive (8) has hardened.

16. Structural element to be bonded, comprising: - a bonding surface (4a) extending perpendicular to an assembly direction (X); - a support zone (4b) surrounding the bonding surface; and - a bead of non-crosslinked mastic (12) arranged along the support zone (4b) and projecting, along the assembly direction (X), beyond the bonding surface (4a).

17. Structural element to be bonded according to claim 16, in which the support zone (4b) is set back from the bonding surface (4a) in the assembly direction (X).

18. A structural element to be bonded according to any one of claims 16 and 17, further comprising a dose of adhesive (7) placed on the bonding surface (4a).

19. A structural element to be bonded according to claim 18, wherein the dose of adhesive (7) is isolated from the outside by a peelable film (9).

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