Choosing the right method of attachment for bigHead® fasteners can literally make or break your application. With innovations in materials and processes daily, in a continuously growing industry, choosing the right technique is imperative. It all comes down to details.
When it comes to Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and attaching fasteners there are a few methods to consider. Today, traditional adhesive bonding methods are still effectively used in many production environments. However, we have new techniques currently in development which include lean bonding and pre-form mechanical fixing prior to molding.
The lean bonding solution utilizes a pre-applied dry film adhesive, induction heating and pressure to reduce bonding time dramatically. Bonding times well under a minute can be expected. As an alternative to the adhesive bonding methods, bigHead® fasteners can be attached to CFRP by stitching, tufting, over-laminating or clinching into the pre-formed material.
For a more practical application, outlined below are techniques for attaching fasteners into dry fiber pre-forms:
- Over-laminated: Either with ply-drops/localized or overlay holes to accommodate for stud
- Stitching/tufting: Fastener retained in place by stitching into pre-form
- Pocket stitched: Like over-laminated, but with stitching around the fastener to secure inside “pocket”
- Pre-coupled patch: Fiber patch pre-applied to fastener and incorporated into molding (can be attached by adhesive or stitching/tufting)
- Clinched: Fastener with spiked protrusions that embed into the pre-form
If you have any questions about bigHead® fastener attachment techniques into preformed CFRP please contact us through ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.
Joining CFRP: Attachment Methods for bigHead® Fasteners by Bossard
