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。通过对结构胶粘剂在车辆使用寿命内的性能进行建模和预测的能力的发展，将增加对胶粘剂性能的信心，节省重量、成本和时间。这与EPSRC的“多功能材料”和“制造未来”的研究范围相一致。对于汽车工业来说，有效、耐用和轻量化的接头设计可以提高部件性能，降低燃油消耗并有利于环境的可持续性。目的是设计固有的自修复功能，以使粘合剂具有高粘合强度和内聚强度;设计通用的界面粘合剂性能，特别是对不同金属（铝）和聚合物表面的耐受性“粘性”。分子设计，结构表征，机械和粘合性能将进行研究。将胶接接头的微观结构、胶接性能和失效模式联系起来。本研究的新奇在于工程胶粘剂的分子设计策略，以及自修复、机械强度和粘附力的整合。

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.