Outdoor Adventure USA

Our net this week will be of particular interest to those who travel to remote locations where your usual repair service is not available. It is in these locations where the prepared traveler needs to be self-sufficient and ready to make his own repairs. But, make no mistake about it, anyone who works in his garage, works on his own vehicle, or is just handy around the house, will benefit from this net.

Kevin Paulson, KK6DGL, will be our guest this week and will be discussing various adhesives, thread lockers, repair compounds, silicones, and other products which should be in everyone's gear bag. These same products will come in handy for all your home repairs as well. Kevin's expertise in this area is impressive and the net will offer valuable information for just about everyone.

Modern vehicle makers take advantage of the the many Engineering benefits of adhesives to Manufacture and repair today’s cars, trucks and other wheeled equipment.
Auto repair shops and collision centers use many of the same products to return vehicles to a road worthy condition.

Benefits of adhesives include:
1. The bonding of multiple substrates that can’t be welded or
Bolted
2. Sealing body panels
3. Locking/sealing threaded fasteners
4. The stiffening of light weight body panels used to
Increase fuel economy.
5. Sealing engine and drivetrain components
6. Assembling and sealing electrical components &
Circuit boards
7. Prevent corrosion
8. Increased crash safety

Topics of discussion:
Safety equipment
Surface preparation
Adhesive chemistries
Vehicle applications
Additional adhesive options

Safety equipment should always be included in any auto repair kit. Eye and skin protection are of particular importance, especially working under or in a vehicles engine compartment.

Basic equipment includes:
1. Eye or full face protection
2. Gloves- both leather and nitrile
3. Dust mask

Precautions:
1. Use adhesives in a well ventilated area.
2. Keep adhesives away from open flame or
Heat sources.
3. Avoid skin exposure. People can become
Sensitized to certain adhesive chemistries

Surface prep goals and considerations:
1. Surfaces should usually be clean dry and rough
2. Try to maximize the bond area

Joint design
1. A Lap joint is better than a butt joint
2. More width is better than more overlap.
3. Verify the environmental conditions a particular adhesive will experience to mitigate failure
4. Select an adhesive chemistry that will meet the
Substrate and joint requirements. Use a flexible
To bond a flexible joint.

Adhesive chemistries(categories):
Two Part Structurals
Solvent Based
Cyanoacrylate(C/A’s, Superglue)
Anaerobic thread lockers
Elastomers- RTV silicones and polyurethanes
Epoxy
Adhesive tapes

*Important note of Caution:
Always use those products specified by the manufacture if one is available.

Applications
Rear view mirror bonding
Tire repair
Sealing of electrical components
Preventing fastener failure
Sealing from weather
Assembly of off road equipment( storage, camp kitchen, tools, etc)
Adhering navigation components and accessories On and around dashboard
Emergency sealing of radiators and hoses, fuel tanks and differentials
Vehicle fabric repair

2- Step Acrylic Structurals

These adhesives include rear view mirror and rear window defogger glues.
1. Include an adhesive and a catalyst.
2. No mixing is required.
3. Very high strength
4. Handle vibration and shock
5. Excellent magnet bonder

Solvent Based adhesives include the following Tire plug, Weather strip, Contact cement including Headliner Sprays and Vinyl and fabric Products.

1. Usually single part
2. Required to “Air Dry”
3. The solvent could be water or petroleum based
4. Very flexible and bond a great variety of substrates
5. Medium to high strength depending on substrate
6. Can be flammable

Cyanoacrylates, also known as C/A’s or simply Super Glues bond a great variety of surfaces
but do have some limitations.
1. Most have Low heat resistance
2. They tend to be brittle although some are rubber modified
3. Will bond skin instantly so gloves are advised
4. Generally poor environmental resistance.
5. Require a very thin bond line to cure properly
6. Hybrid versions offer some great advantages.
7. Baking soda, powdered aluminum or other fillers can be used to increase the
strength and to facilitate the cure in open air.

Anaerobic Thread lockers are the best way to ensure fasteners maintain clamp load and also offer
the benefit of lubricating and then sealing the threads to prevent rust and corrosion.

1. Available in low, medium and high strength and different viscosities.
2. If in doubt, use blue as it holds very well in all but the highest vibration and shock load
applications but is easily removable with the same hand tools you put the fastener on with.
3. Impervious to almost all chemicals
4. Can also be used between flat, bolted surfaces to prevent side sliding.
5. They are not glues but a liquid plastic that solidifies to fill the pours of metal surfaces to create
additional friction.