Solving a sticky problem

Citation

(2000), "Solving a sticky problem", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 47 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2000.12847daf.003

Solving a sticky problem

Keywords Heraeus Noblelight, Jaguar Motors, Adhesion, Waterproofing, Infra-red

A medium wave infra-red system, from Heraeus Noblelight, of Bromborough, is reported to be helping to ensure optimum adhesion of water-shedding door pads fitted to S-Type Jaguars on the Jaguar Motors' production line at Castle Bromwich.

The pads are fitted to the front and rear doors of the vehicle during assembly, to prevent the ingress of water during service. They are manufactured from a polymer material, which is impregnated with an adhesive to ensure bonding to the door frame.

To improve pad adhesion, Jaguar engineers investigated the possibility of pre-heating the pads to allow the adhesive to release more freely. A portable medium wave infra-red unit was supplied by Heraeus and trials showed that the adhesive properties of the pads were optimised if they were preheated to 40-50°C before being positioned on the vehicle.

Consequently, Heraeus was asked to supply a full-scale, free-standing pre-heater unit, with two separately controllable zones, each fitted with four 1.6kW medium wave infra-red emitters. Each zone, which operates at around 3.5kW, can accommodate two sets of pads (one front set and one rear set), which are loaded into and removed from the pre-heater by means of a front-mounted extended table. Complete closed-loop control, to heat and maintain the required temperature of the pads, is achieved by an optical pyrometer, a thyristor and a temperature controller within each zone.

Details available from: Heraeus Noblelight Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 151343 0545; Fax: +44 (0) 151343 9883.