Assessment of Adhesively Bonded Joints of Similar and Dissimilar Materials: Industrial Case Study

Joining similar or dissimilar materials has recently become a hot topic in industries. In this study, an adhesive technique was used to join plastic materials produced by additive manufacturing (3D printing) with metal materials. The effects of the type of material that forms the joint pairs on the joint strength were investigated. In addition, a case study was carried out on the “rubber-metal buffer” part, which is a rubber industry product. The “rubber-metal buffer” part, traditionally produced by vulcanization, was re-manufactured by changing the body material and production technique. Samples were produced from Tough PLA and TPU materials using a 3D printer at 80% and 100% fill rates. Adhesive joints were made by bonding dissimilar (Tough PLA/Galvanized steel, TPU/Galvanized steel, Tough PLA/TPU) and similar materials (Tough PLA/Tough PLA, TPU/TPU, Galvanized steel/Galvanized steel) using Loctite 9466 adhesive. The mechanical properties of the joints were determined using tensile and hardness tests, and then the damage mechanisms were examined. The highest strength value in similar material pairs (3D printed) was found in Tough PLA/Tough PLA joints (4 MPa). In dissimilar material pairs, the highest strength value was determined to be Tough PLA/Galvanized steel (4.17 MPa). As a result, it was found that TPU and Tough PLA materials produced by 3D printing can be used as an alternative to rubber.