The Importance of the Surface Preparation Method

In this chapter, the specific steps of the bonding operation were presented. Problems related to the preparation of surfaces to be glued together concerning different construction materials were described. In addition, attention was paid to the issues concerning the preparation of the adhesive mass, techniques of glue application, and the requirements necessary to be met during the mass curing time. The applied equipment necessary to obtain a durable adhesive bond was characterized. Due to many factors influencing the effects of gluing, the methods of assessing the strength of joints used in the industry were presented. The second part of the chapter analyzes the importance of preparing the material surface before applying the adhesive, the phenomenon of adhesion and cohesion, and the problem of ensuring proper wettability. Surface free energy determination issues and the mechanical theory of adhesion were also described in this chapter.

Construction Materials for Adhesive Bonding in Present-Day Industry

This chapter presents the characteristics of selected construction materials used in the modern industry, with particular attention paid to the engineering industry. These materials have a diverse chemical structure and related properties. In this context, steels, selected light alloys, plastics, wood, glass, and ceramics were described. Since the materials for production are supplied in various forms, the methods of shaping the semi-finished products of the presented materials were outlined. Special attention was given to the condition of the surface and the shape due to the possible bonding operations in the technological process. Additionally, a description of composites was given, as these materials have already replaced a number of materials used so far. Composites are characterized by having favorable features and are produced with the use epoxy resins, among others. This chapter also outlines the characteristics of adhesives in the context of their selection options for the glued materials.

Adhesive Bonding

This chapter presents the application of adhesive bonding technology with a long tradition of use in manufacturing processes. It has an established position among a number of different ways of permanently joining elements together. This work offers a list of many advantages of this technology, alongside the difficulties and limitations in the use of adhesive bonds. The basic concepts of adhesives and their components are described, and the terms related to the bonding process are presented. Attention was paid to the great variety of adhesives and many different criteria of their division and selection to a particular technological situation. In the following chapter, examples of the application of different types of adhesives with regard to using materials and constructions can be found as well as methods and requirements for the preparation of the finished adhesive. Mechanisms of the formation of an adhesive bond are characterized, and various constructions of adhesive bonds that are necessary to form a durable bond of elements are presented.

Lasers

This chapter describes basic issues concerning lasers (i.e., the phenomenon of laser action, features of laser radiation, construction of laser devices, and various types of lasers). Additionally, selected areas of laser applications in the modern industry were presented. Laser techniques related to the melting of the material, laser melting, various types of laser heat treatment, laser welding, drilling, cutting, and marking of materials with laser were discussed. In addition, laser strengthening techniques developed intensively in recent years and various additive manufacturing techniques using lasers were presented. The advantages and disadvantages of laser processing were also specified in this chapter.

Prognosis for the Future for Laser Technology

This chapter presents a modern approach to production management based on actions aimed at minimizing its impact on the environmental. The philosophy of cleaner production was characterized, the idea of which is to prevent pollution, for example, by introducing changes in production technology or reusing production waste. The concept of BAT, the best environmentally effective production methods, was described. In this context, the concept of implementing laser processing as a method to prevent environmental pollution occurring in conventional product bonding was presented. In addition, a discussion on the prospects of implementing a new laser technology in bonding was presented. The developmental conditions visible in the Industry 4.0 revolution, automation, robotization, just in time, and lean manufacturing philosophy, which are conducive to the spread of lasers in place of already known but problematic manufacturing technologies, were demonstrated.

Evaluation of Possibilities to Apply Lasers for Adhesive Bonding

The chapter presents the results of experimental research conducted by the author in the context of the possibility of introducing a change from traditional bonding technology to an unconventional one by means of laser surface treatment. The results of the analysis of the surface condition of the materials selected for this monograph were described, both in the so-called delivery condition (after rolling) and after traditional and laser surface treatment. The chapter also provides a comparison of the energy state of the surface to be glued after mechanical, chemical, and laser treatment. The results of bonding were shown in which static strength on the joint wall was taken as a criterion of evaluation. Additionally, unusual possibilities of lasers used to create specific surface roughness and useful in bonding operations were presented.

Technological Methods of Surface Pre-Treatment

This chapter presents the traditional, widespread ways of implementing the first stage of the bonding operation (i.e., the preparation of materials surface), the importance of which has already been presented in Chapter 3. A number of different variants of this operation were described, depending on the bonded material, technical capabilities, and the skills of the manufacturer. The examples of particular fragments of surface preparation operations were given as well as the diversity of chemical substances, tools, equipment for work stands necessary for proper surface preparation. Other unconventional methods of surface preparation were briefly presented.

Environmental and Human Aspects of Adhesive Bonding and Laser Treatment

This chapter presents the problems of ensuring safe working conditions in modern production plants. It discusses the modern concept of occupational risk and environmental aspects. Considering problems such as human health and the impact of industry on the environment, the analysis of conventional techniques used in adhesive bonding and their proposed alternative in the form of laser processing were presented. Health hazards and environmental nuisance of both described manufacturing techniques were also characterized in this chapter.