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TRUCK ADSŪ Patented Frame System Adhesive was Tested Against Rivets, Welding and
Epoxy. A trailer
manufacturer evaluated various fastening techniques (including the 3MŪ
adhesive used in TRUCK ADSŪ Frame Kits) as alternative methods to welding
of interior and exterior truckside body panels. The traditional assembly
process consisted of welding metal panels to the underlying aluminum
frame.
Strength Comparison
Test Procedure.
The outdoor "Truck Vibration and
Cold Weather Test" that was conducted, ran continuously for 7 months
(September thru March), with an estimated 7.45 million cycles - equivalent
to about 15 years of over the road truck panel stress. It is
important to note that the lifespan
of a truck or trailer is estimated at only eight years.
Four fastening techniques were
tested.
Welding, rivets, one and two-part epoxy resin adhesives and
VHBŪ, a 3MŪ adhesive used in the construction of TRUCK ADSŪ frames and TRUCK ADSŪ Secur-TabsŪ.
A metal frame testing bed was used for performance analysis
of each of these fastening methods. |
The test device was suspended by a motorized rocking arm. The rocking arm, flexed the truck body panel in a 1.24
inch elliptical path at 44 degrees from the panel's vertical center
line at a rate of 500-600 cycles per minute. A test sample of each fastening
type was attached to the device.
Test Results Determined the Strongest
Method. After the
first week, all epoxy bonds failed. By the end of the test period, all
riveted portions had broken free and half of the welded panels had failed
or welds had cracked as a result of the continuous pounding.
"The results
of this study prove the TRUCK ADSŪ Frame System is superior
to all other connection methods. The results at the end of the
seven month test period, equivalent to about 15 years of
over the road truck panel stress, showed NO SIGNS OF FAILURE."
"For this reason, TRUCK ADSŪ Frame Kits, when compared to ordinary
metal frame systems, are proven to be the strongest in the trucking
industry." |
