How to: hand-fixing Veck bonding fasteners using adhesives

We are often contacted by designers and manufacturers who ask for advice regarding specific assembly requirements. They are invariably looking for a strong, dependable fastening which is going to be at least as sturdy as the substrate that it is to be mounted on and one that gives them various extra options. The project may centre around a composite body panel, a Dibond/Alucobond/Alumalite sign or a glass-fibre moulding - the senarios are endless, but all call for a good, reliable non-permanent fastening system to fulfil certain requirements:

1. strength - resistence to shear, torque or push-pull forces
   
   
2. corrosion and chemical protection - environmental conditions cannot have a detrimental effect on the fastener system
   
   
3. adaptability - a 'fit for purpose' fastener type, size and shape
   
   
4. conformity - a fastening solution which your existing design or production processes can already accept
   
   
5. speed - the fixture must be quick to install, with no significant delay before proceeding to the next stage of manufacture
   

The adoption of a high quality bonding fastener and structural adhesive system should meet the technical and practical needs of your project:

1. standard tests show that the weld integrity of the fastener is greater than that of the 1.2mm thick base plate itself. Combine that with the excellent hardness and tensile properties of the structural adhesive used to secure it and it would not be unusual to find that the fastening system is much stronger than the substrate it is attached to.
   
   
2. the Zinc plating offers salt water resistance to ISO 2081 and if greater resistance is required we offer the same range of parts in marine-grade 316 Stainless Steel. The standard adhesive available is resistant to hydrocarbons, acids (ph range 3-10) and salt, as well as many other substances.
   
   
3. with 7 base plate sizes, 4 main fastener types and a great variety of thread diameters and lengths to choose from, you should find one or more bonding fasteners to suit your application every time.
   
   
4. Veck adhesives are suitable for use with many materials including GRP, FRP, gelcoats, steel, acrylics, urathanes and aluminium for GRP hand lay-up. The fastener base plate is designed with additional processes in mind, including established moulding processes (eg. rotational, injection), composite layout and thermoforming.
   
   
5. fitting bonding fasteners using adhesives is a very fast operation, with the adhesives having a 5-7 minute working time and the 10-12 minute fixture time* which will ensure that your production process stays on the move. (* based on tests carried out on 12 x 25mm overlapping joints at 20°C)
   

Now its time to fix the fasteners into place. Preparation is very important since the two-part adhesive will start to cure very soon after it is mixed. If necessary, degrease the substrate and mark out where the fasteners are to go. Then apply a generous amount of adhesive to the substrate where the fastener positions have been marked, gently press the base plate of the fastener down so that the adhesive flows through the base plate perforations (see picture) and beyond the edge of the base. Allow it to set. The beads of adhesive which now sit on top of the base will provide a positive lock and resist all of the usual forces which you'd expect to be exerted on the fastener, so resist the temptation to smooth them over or wipe them off.