Adhesive Stack Refurbishment Using Removable Scrim Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and replacement of adhered components in composite materials are laborious and time-consuming, especially when exposed to severe thermal environments or damage, due to the difficulty in separating and cleaning residual adhesive.
Innovation Solution
The use of an adhesive stack comprising a peripheral adhesive portion, a bulk adhesive layer, and one or more scrim layers, where the scrim layers can be impregnated with adhesive, allowing for easy peeling and removal, thereby facilitating quicker and more efficient refurbishment and replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional adhesive methods are used to adhere components, then strong bonding is achieved, but removal and cleaning of residual adhesive becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is segmented into modular adhesive tapes that can be independently applied and removed. Each adhesive tape consists of a adhesive layer on a removable carrier, allowing the adhesive to be separated from the components during removal, thus enabling easy cleanup while maintaining strong bonding during service
Solution Approach 2:
A removable carrier acts as an intermediary between the adhesive and the components. The carrier allows the adhesive to be applied precisely and maintains it in place during bonding, but can be easily removed afterward to take the adhesive with it, eliminating the need for difficult adhesive cleanup
2Reliability
If traditional adhesive methods are used to adhere components, then reliable bonding is achieved, but component separation and cleaning requires scraping and solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive carrier is designed as a disposable element that is applied during assembly and then removed during maintenance. The carrier is inexpensive and single-use, intended to be discarded along with any residual adhesive, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming cleaning processes
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is extracted from its traditional permanent form and placed on a removable carrier. This allows the adhesive to be cleanly extracted from the bonding interface during maintenance by simply peeling off the carrier, avoiding the need for mechanical scraping or chemical solvents
3Strength
If components are adhered permanently for structural integrity, then composite strength is maintained, but replacement of damaged components becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system transitions from a static permanent bond to a dynamic system where the adhesive tape can be easily activated and deactivated. The removable carrier allows the bond to be easily broken and reformed, enabling quick component replacement while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite comprising adhered components and method of refurbishing such composites are described herein. The composite includes a first component, a second component, and the first component being adhered to the second component using an adhesive stack. The adhesive stack comprises a first adhesive-impregnated scrim layer disposed between the first component and the second component and a bulk adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the second component.