Panel Integrations: Adhesives vs Fasteners and Previous Integrations

Adhesives

• Applied in liquid form to a surface and held in place using a clamp to cure

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• distributes stresses over a greater area

• compensates for expansion/contraction of parts

• fills gaps, allowing for greater tolerances

• permanent

• requires larger contact area to be effective(dependent on strength of epoxy)

• permanent

Fasteners

• non permanent mounting solutions available

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  e.g Dzus(quarter-turn) fastener

• adjustable

• a physical connection feels more reliable

• concentrates stresses at a single point

• usually more expensive

Adhesives

(Epoxy: E-120HP)

Documentation for Adhesive Selection used for Aero-Chassis Integration

All carbon fiber to steel(flat, curved, and perforated)

Steel chassis:

• bottom panel

• bulkhead

• floor panels

• bridges

• side panels

• roof

Steel hinges:

• trunk

• doors

Carbon fiber to carbon fiber

• side panel to bridge

• hood to side panel and bottom panel

Carbon fiber to polycarbonate

• windows to doors

• headlight covers to hood and sides

Mechanical Fasteners

Carbon fiber to carbon fiber

(bolt)

• wheel covers to side panel

Carbon fiber to polycarbonate

(quarter turn fasteners)

• windshield to bridge, hood, sides

Acceptable structural and other critical fasteners

NOT Accepted

Flex-loc nut

Castle nuts with cotter pin

Pre drilled bolts

Nylon loc nuts/nyloc

Lock washers

Loctite