Adhesion, Seals, Curing and Vacuums
Services Offered
Ewingar Scientific can identify and resolve any problem you have with the materials listed below, in any land, air, sea, or aerospace technologies. We specialise in the research and development of polymers, troubleshooting, and new processes development. We can solve any adhesion, curing, seal or vacuum problem you may be encountering. We also conduct bulks and surfaces analyses to determine:
- material composition
- the presence of contaminants that may be affecting the performance of a material
- identification of any unknown/unwanted/undetermined additives
- fracture surface analysis
We are highly experienced at problem solving degradation and stability issues in aggressive environments, including harsh climates, sea water, vacuums, stratosphere and space flights, and aggressive gases and liquids. We also design, maintain and service high vacuum, plasma and ion beam systems (see Material Surfaces – Modifications).
If you are unsure what it is that you need to find out, or what sort of material analysis you require, or what sort of material solution you require, please contact us to discuss your specific problem info@ewingarscientific.com.au
Materials we work with
- hermoplastics and thermosets
- epoxy resins
- polymer matrix composite
- plasticized and filled polymers
- polymer matrix composite with carbon, glass and organic fibres
- polyurethanes
- polyethylene
- polystyrene
- polypropylene
- polytetrafluorethylene
- polyethers
- polyesters
- different rubbers (EPDM, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, SBS and others)
- specialist materials for aerospace conditions
We consider an adhesion as a structure inhomogeneity with an interface. Every material has a complex, multilevel structure. The adhesion is a break of major structure in the interface. Ewingar Scientific can locate breaks within a structure and determine the best way to repair them, whether the structure be made of a single or composite materials. The ideal adhesion is when the strength of an adhesion join equals the strength of material.
At Ewingar Scientific, we have the expertise and experience to analyse and recover the structure in the interface.
Molecular, overmolecular, micro and macro structural levels of polymer composite
materials need to be analysed to determine an ideal adhesion join.
Client Case Study – Adhesion Problem – Parts Manufacturer/Supplier for Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen (Germany)
In modern car production, a rubber seal belt based on ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) of a door is fitted with adhesive tape. The tape is joined to the belt prior to installation. Car assemblers take off the anti-adhesive band and adhere the belt into the car frame.
The parts manufacturer/supplier for Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen wanted to improve the belt rubber with additional components during the vulcanisation process to make the rubber softer. However, they found that the seals were not holding in place effectively, and could not determine the cause of this. The company engaged Dr Kondyurin to resolve this issue. He discovered that the additional components used to soften the rubber reacted with, and diffused, the rubber surface, resulting in the adhesion between rubber and adhesive tape becoming very weak. As result, the adhesive became deactivated and the seals did not stay fixed in place.
Following Dr Kondyurin’s analysis and recommendations, the company changed the additional components and permanently resolved the issue.