Structural Adhesive used in New F150
I have heard that Adhesive is used in the new Aluminum F150 Body. Seems that the adhesive is called Dow Betamate structural adhesive. Here is a Link to a post concerning this. I'm wondering ...
Forum Discussion
Glued joints are here to stay and growing...as it is 'cheaper' than most other
methods of fastening
My issue is that since I keep my vehicle for decades...longevity much more important
to me than those who replace in a few years
It 'should' be okay...even for me...as the test methodology I've been boning up
shows how they accelerate aging (make no doubt about it...adhesives do age faster
than traditional interface fastening methods) all use cycling through their
attackers...heat (ultimate in both directions and general ambient), UV, O3 and chems
Did not find anything on rate of change for the temp cycles...that should be
an issue, but no data for now.
Chem's also did not have much on the temps involved, as the aggressiveness of chems
does change with temp...so wondering why...did they miss (not likely)
or did they purposely omit???
Adhesives do have more compliance than spot welds/etc, so they should allow
the joints to not be subjected to the stresses that a spot weld or interference
fasteners place on the panels
Mentioned above that windshields are now a stressed member is
indicative of that. Glass does NOT do well with shock loads. Gasket
in the past and now glued...as similar compliance to the old gasket
method, but with enough mating surface to transfer
loading...including shock loads
As for aluminum vs steel...production science has come a long ways, but alu will
always take more effort than steel. Think the adhesives will mitigate this
somewhat, as the joints do need to be clean, but not down past the oxides that
welding would require of alu
My backyard welding setups (gas, stick, MIG) will NOT allow me to work with
alu well...maybe a new MIG might, but not going to spend that kind of money...
TIG would be so nice, but can not justify that cost over a better MIG setup
Alu work hardens VERY QUICKLY, so wonder if they will anneal or just cut out and
replace for body work???....then wonder about frame sections????
NOTE that annealing is most likely out of the question, as the "Military
Grade" (just like most any building/TV/etc) uses 6061 TX or somewhere
close in alloy. That TX is temper and to anneal, would lose that temper...
methods of fastening
My issue is that since I keep my vehicle for decades...longevity much more important
to me than those who replace in a few years
It 'should' be okay...even for me...as the test methodology I've been boning up
shows how they accelerate aging (make no doubt about it...adhesives do age faster
than traditional interface fastening methods) all use cycling through their
attackers...heat (ultimate in both directions and general ambient), UV, O3 and chems
Did not find anything on rate of change for the temp cycles...that should be
an issue, but no data for now.
Chem's also did not have much on the temps involved, as the aggressiveness of chems
does change with temp...so wondering why...did they miss (not likely)
or did they purposely omit???
Adhesives do have more compliance than spot welds/etc, so they should allow
the joints to not be subjected to the stresses that a spot weld or interference
fasteners place on the panels
Mentioned above that windshields are now a stressed member is
indicative of that. Glass does NOT do well with shock loads. Gasket
in the past and now glued...as similar compliance to the old gasket
method, but with enough mating surface to transfer
loading...including shock loads
As for aluminum vs steel...production science has come a long ways, but alu will
always take more effort than steel. Think the adhesives will mitigate this
somewhat, as the joints do need to be clean, but not down past the oxides that
welding would require of alu
My backyard welding setups (gas, stick, MIG) will NOT allow me to work with
alu well...maybe a new MIG might, but not going to spend that kind of money...
TIG would be so nice, but can not justify that cost over a better MIG setup
Alu work hardens VERY QUICKLY, so wonder if they will anneal or just cut out and
replace for body work???....then wonder about frame sections????
NOTE that annealing is most likely out of the question, as the "Military
Grade" (just like most any building/TV/etc) uses 6061 TX or somewhere
close in alloy. That TX is temper and to anneal, would lose that temper...
