Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Carrier for Structural Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reinforcement members made from thermoplastic polyamides exhibit moisture sensitivity, leading to varying mechanical properties with humidity changes, making them unsuitable for global use in automotive and aircraft industries due to inconsistent E-modulus and weight concerns.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement member featuring a heatcurable structural adhesive on a carrier member composed of a fiber-reinforced polyester material, which maintains consistent mechanical properties across varying climatic conditions, offering optimized stiffness, weight, and cost efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If thermoplastic polyamides are used as carrier members, then lower weight compared to metals is achieved, but moisture sensitivity causes varying mechanical properties with humidity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from polyamide to fiber-reinforced polyester, which fundamentally alters the moisture absorption characteristics. Polyester materials have lower hygroscopicity compared to polyamides, thereby maintaining consistent mechanical properties across different humidity conditions while preserving the weight advantage over metals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fiber-reinforced polyester composite materials where fibers (such as glass, carbon, or aramid) are embedded in a polyester matrix. This composite structure provides both the lightweight characteristic and the dimensional stability needed to resist moisture-induced property variations, as the fiber reinforcement constrains matrix expansion and limits moisture absorption effects.
2Ease of manufacture
If polyamides are used as carrier members, then ease of manufacture through thermoplastic processing is achieved, but E-modulus varies significantly with atmospheric conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from polyamide to fiber-reinforced polyester, which fundamentally alters the moisture absorption characteristics. Polyester materials have lower hygroscopicity compared to polyamides, thereby maintaining consistent mechanical properties across different humidity conditions while preserving the weight advantage over metals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fiber-reinforced polyester composite materials where fibers (such as glass, carbon, or aramid) are embedded in a polyester matrix. This composite structure provides both the lightweight characteristic and the dimensional stability needed to resist moisture-induced property variations, as the fiber reinforcement constrains matrix expansion and limits moisture absorption effects.
3Reliability
If fiber-reinforced polyester material is used as carrier member, then stable E-modulus and reduced moisture sensitivity are achieved, but need to ensure adequate bonding surface for structural adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality treatment by specifically modifying the surface properties of the polyester carrier member where adhesive bonding is required. The surface may be treated with plasma, corona discharge, or chemical etching to increase surface energy and create anchoring sites, while the bulk material maintains its inherent moisture resistance and dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces surface treatment layers or primers as intermediaries between the polyester carrier member and the structural adhesive. These intermediary layers improve wetting and adhesion to the polyester surface without compromising the moisture-resistant properties of the base material, facilitating reliable bonding while maintaining E-modulus stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fiber-reinforced polyester carrier member provides reinforcement members with stable E-modulus and reduced moisture sensitivity, enabling worldwide use with consistent performance and reduced weight compared to polyamide-based solutions.
Implementation Method 1
cured at elevated temperature with a short cure time
Implementation Method 2
structural adhesive foam... bonding components in the automotive industries, aircraft industries
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a reinforcement member comprising a heatcurable structural adhesive on a carrier member, wherein the carrier member comprises a fiber-reinforced polyester material. The invention further relates to a method to produce such a reinforcement member and its use.