One of the Araldite range of structural adhesive solutions from Huntsman Advanced Materials is being used to bond critical parts on the latest model from Italian motorbike manufacturer, Benelli. Araldite 2015 was type-tested by Benelli and then included in the production of the Tre 1130k, a new multipurpose motorbike designed to appeal to both road and off-road users.
For testing purposes, several key parts of the motorbike frame were bonded together with Araldite 2015. First, the three aluminium alloy gravity-cast components of the rear frame – i.e. both rear sides and the cross bar linking them together - were bonded. The resulting component was then joined to the front frame, made of high resistance steel pipes. Both applications were undertaken simultaneously and the adhesive was applied manually using a supporting pattern structure.
“Replacing mechanical joining methods for the front frame by bonding with Araldite 2015 was a real breakthrough in our production cycle,” said Ing. Paolo Villa, designer for the vehicle section at Benelli Q.J. S.r.l. “The traditional technique required special screws fully machined from a solid steel core, a costly and time consuming process. Also, we wanted to eliminate the unpleasant visual effect of the screws affecting the general design of the motorbike.
“By replacing the previous welding process with Araldite 2015 adhesive to bond the aluminium alloy rear sides to the cross bar, we saved on the high costs of the welding process but, most of all, we saved on the costs involved in fixing the distortions caused by the welding itself.”
After a surface pre-treatment to abrade the substrates followed by polishing with a degreasing agent, the two-component, thixotropic adhesive paste was then applied manually. After a six to eight hour cure at room temperature the joints exhibited excellent bonding strength during the dynamic and static loads tests carried out at Benelli’s production facility and on the road, reproducing the most critical operating conditions.