The introduction of nanoclay to polyurethane improves properties such as strength and stability in the resulting foam. Sara Tabandeh from Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, outlines studies into the synthesis process.

Work on thermoforming advanced composites and joining such parts form the core of a project at Queen’s University Belfast, UK, that investigates sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques in transport. Dr Saul Buchanan explains.

Although unmanned aerial vehicles save lives, their development and manufacture can be costly. Andrew Mills, Principal Research Fellow in Composites Manufacturing, from Cranfield University, UK, proposes solutions.

Since its formation in 2001, the Adhesive Bonding Team at the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden, Germany (based at the Technische Universität, Dresden), has been working in the fields of surface pretreatment, surface characterisation, adhesive modification, bonding, ageing and testing. This feature gives an in-depth review of their work and facilities.

David Farrar, Science Manager for Biomaterials at Smith & Nephew Research Centre, York, UK, gives an update on the development of bone adhesives.

This article focuses on the work of Australian Defence Apparel and the requirements for future armour systems.

A look at adhesive bonding in the maritime and offshore industry.

The polymer interphase in adhesively bonded metal joints plays an important role concerning the mechanical behaviour and durability under service conditions. Recent investigations have been able to identify a polymer interphase region adjacent to the metal surface with a thickness of up to 100μm where cross linking density and glass transition temperatures differ significantly from those of the bulk polymer due to the long-range influence of the adhesive interactions in the contact zone to the metal surface.

In a joint research project the mechanical behaviour of the interphase region has been investigated by microextensometry using scanning electron microscopy as an imaging device and computational image analysis.

The four main areas of activity in the field of adhesion and adhesives at the University of Surrey are outlined: structural adhesive bonding; pressure-sensitive adhesive research; the interfacial chemistry of adhesion; and smart adhesive research.

There are many advantages that polymeric adhesives can offer compared to the more traditional methods of joining, but the structure of such thermosetting adhesives also generally results in brittle materials, with a poor resistance to crack initiation and growth. The incorporation of a second phase of dispersed rubbery particles into the epoxy polymer can greatly increase toughness for applications where a very high impact resistance is required for the adhesively-bonded joint.