Development of prediction of structural adhesive performance and durability

该项目将确定开发汽车结构粘合剂性能的物理模型所需的参数，并验证粘合失效的初始模型。在整个车辆寿命周期内，对结构粘合剂性能进行建模和预测的能力的发展，将增加对粘合剂性能的信心，节省重量、成本和时间。它与EPSRC的“多功能材料”和“制造未来”的研究范围一致。本项目将着重于通过化学改性和加工方法对高分子胶粘剂进行分子设计。对于汽车工业来说，设计有效、耐用、轻量化的接头可以提高部件的性能，降低油耗，有利于环境的可持续性。目的是设计内在的自愈功能，使胶粘剂具有较高的粘接强度和内聚强度；设计多功能界面粘合性能，特别是耐受不同金属（铝）和聚合物表面的“粘性”。分子设计，结构表征，机械和粘附性能将被研究。粘接接头的微观结构、粘接性能和破坏模式将相互关联。本研究的新颖之处在于工程胶粘剂的分子设计策略以及自愈性、机械强度和粘附性的整合。

This project will identify the parameters necessary to develop a physically-based model of structural adhesive performance in automotive vehicles, and validate an initial model for adhesion failure. The development of the capability to model and predict structural adhesive performance over a vehicle life will increase confidence in adhesive performance, saving weight, cost and time.It aligns with the research remit of 'multifunctional materials' and 'Manufacturing the future' of EPSRC.UPDATED This project will focus on molecular design of polymer adhesives through chemical modification and processing approaches. For automotive industry, the design of effective, durable and lightweight joints can enhance component performances, reduce fuel consumption and benefit environmental sustainability. The aims are to design intrinsic self-healing functions to allow the adhesives to have both high adhesion strength and cohesion strength; design the versatile interfacial adhesive properties, in particular tolerantly 'sticky' to dissimilar metal (aluminium) and polymer surfaces. The molecular design, structural characterisation, mechanical and adhesion properties will be investigated. The microstructure, adhesion properties and failure modes of the adhesive joints will be correlated. The novelty of this research is the molecular design strategies of engineering adhesives and the integration of self-healing, mechanical strength and adhesion.