The Multi-Application Bonding (MABond) programme is focussed on developing and leveraging advanced technologies to reduce the number of fasteners from future airframe designs. Unlike existing uses of adhesives in aerospace, this project will pave the way for use in more highly loaded and critical joints, which previously required rivets, nuts and bolts or blind screws for airframe certification.
The technology offers significant weight and cost advantages, and so is projected to render legacy-joining approaches obsolete, covering thermoset to thermoset bonding as well as aluminium alloy to thermoset bonding. As bonding inherently improves load transfer, and no space is required for fastener tails, it will lead to the enablement of lower aspect ratio wings, and will provide a building block for the future application of elastic-tailored wing structures. It also stands to reason that the surface smoothness required for laminar flow will be possible without further surface finishing processes, such as fill and faring fastener heads.
The combination of lighter weight, lower aspect ratio structures with a smoother finish exactly meets the demand on aerospace structures to improve aircraft efficiency and lessen the impact of aerospace on the environment. Finally, the resultant structures will lend themselves to more cost effective recycling options, thus improving aircraft structures for end of life.
During the project, a scalable manufacturing system will be developed, deployed and demonstrated. This will enable the process technology to be scaled for any rate, making it applicable to all market opportunities, including Advanced Air Mobility, legacy replacement structures and future large airframes, such as the NSA (Next Single Aisle).