Glue-free bonding: Can sound waves and 3D printing replace industrial adhesives?
Researchers from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria have developed two methods for joining materials that could dramatically transform industrial manufacturing.
They have introduced techniques that can make strong bonds by eliminating the need for harmful caustic adhesives — another step towards making the world greener.
Industrial adhesives are great for joining parts but they are often made from petroleum-based chemicals and require huge amounts of energy to produce, reports New Atlas.
They also produce harmful pollutants while producing, which contaminate soil and groundwater, and pose health risks to workers.
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The first technique developed by the researchers is called "Adjoining". It uses 3D printing to directly bond materials to untreated wood. This process allows materials like plastics, stainless steel, and titanium alloys to penetrate the wood's pores, creating a durable bond.
Gean Marcatto, a postdoc student at TU Graz's Institute of Materials Sciences, explains that this bond is so strong that when tested, the materials broke within themselves rather than at the joint.
The researchers believe that enhancing the wood's surface with lasers could further strengthen these bonds by increasing the bonding area. Sergio Amancio, who led the research, highlights that this method is advantageous for creating complex 3D structures directly on surfaces without the need for chemicals.
The second method is called "Ultrasonic Joining," which uses high-frequency, low-vibration sound waves through the juncture of wood and metal polymers to generate heat due to friction, eventually bonding wood with metal polymers.
This approach is ideal for large components and flat surfaces, as it allows precise, localized joints. Co-author of the study Awais Awan notes that this technique is especially suitable for industries such as furniture, automotive, and aerospace.
The research was recently presented at the IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference on Welding and Joining at Rhodes in Greece.
