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ARALDITE ENHANCES SPORTS BICYCLE PERFORMANCE
Selection of the correct adhesive is an essential aspect of bike and component assembly. They must be able to bond a variety of substrates with varying coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and produce joints strong enough to withstand serious vibration, temperature extremes and corrosive environmental conditions, such as salt spray. To meet these tough criteria, LP Composites of Washington State, USA use Araldite 2015 epoxy adhesive from the versatile Araldite 2000 range, to build high performance and ergonomically styled bar ends, grips and seat posts for mountain and road bikes. After investigating a number of adhesives, LP Technicians found that Araldite 2015 provided the handling ease and physical properties needed to securely bond braided carbon/aramid fibre components to aluminium alloy end fittings used in bike accessories. Similarly, Serotta Bicycles in New York, builds it Ottrott ST custom bikes with a toughened epoxy paste from Araldite. The adhesive is used to install carbon fibre tubes in polished titanium lugs, producing lightweight bikes that combine speed with comfort and responsiveness. Both manufacturers begin the production process with pre-formed composites. At LP, carbon and aramid fibre accessories are resin transfer moulded and then cured. Sue Fisher, President of LP says: “We’ve come to rely on advanced composites and adhesives to build anatomically designed, extremely tough grips, handle bars and seat posts. The Araldite 2015 epoxy is easy to use because it’s gap filling and sag resistant. It is also ideal for joining the dissimilar materials we use in fabricating bike accessories.” Araldite 2015 achieves handling strength after four hours at room temperature and produces joints with a lap shear strength of 17MPa. At Serotta, carbon fibre tubes and titanium fittings are pre-welded and substrate surfaces are abraded to ensure good adhesion. The Araldite two component epoxy paste, supplied in convenient dual barrel cartridges is mixed and dispensed through a disposable nozzle onto a board. It is then applied to the metal and composite surfaces using a tongue depressor. Carbon fibre tubes are then inserted into the metal fittings until fully seated. Excess “We manufacture each bike with a custom-designed geometry using a specially designed fixture that allows us to construct each frame according to pre-established dimensions,” said Jason Clark, R&D Director at Serotta. “The Araldite adhesive helps us in this process because it is easy to dispense from waste-free 50ml cartridges and has the required combination of tough physical characteristics for durable bonding.” “Cycling enthusiasts rely on high performance equipment that will support their continuous motion on a variety of terrains, in changeable weather conditions and temperatures. Composite parts joined with advanced epoxies help us produce bikes that have the power, endurance, speed and comfort our customers demand,” concludes Clark.
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