...aluminium composites which are bonded using adhesives, has become far more widespread, and could be set to become even more commonplace in volume production.

The bottom line is that adhesives help with weight reduction in car production. Overall, around 31 kilograms of adhesive products have replaced 91 kilograms of mechanical fasteners on the average car in recent years. Lighter cars mean more power, more fuel economy and less emissions--so adhesives are popular in the automobile industry.

Furthermore, adhesives can boost safety, helping boost the performance of certain materials under impact. Positive results in crash tests affect the decisions of buyers, and can be mandatory in certain markets before a vehicle is sold. What's more, adhesives even help improve the recyclability of cars, a key factor given that legislation--especially in the European Union (EU)--is insisting that vehicles become more recyclable, or that they can be disposed of in a more environmentally friendly way.

ECONOMICS

Finally, adhesives are often cheaper to apply than metal fasteners, hugely important for both carmakers and their suppliers in the 21st century, who are facing slim profit margins. It is this price pressure, plus the allied performance, environmental and safety...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from European Adhesives & Sealants (Surrey, UK)
Increase productivity: the use of products which are environmentally f..., September 01, 2004
Promising future: the use of adhesives is increasing rapidly as manufa..., September 01, 2004
Integral PSA adhesives: a leading chemical company says there is still..., September 01, 2004
The trouble with sealants: Oxford Brookes University' School of Techno..., September 01, 2004
Economic formulations: a new polymer has been unveiled which will resu..., September 01, 2004

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.