The Hidden Costs of Traditional Fastening
In modern manufacturing, every minute and every gram of material matters. Yet many production lines still rely on traditional fastening methods like welding, riveting, or mechanical fasteners. These techniques add not only weight and labor but also long-term maintenance challenges. Welding introduces heat distortion and requires specialized operators. Bolts and rivets add bulk and can loosen under vibration. Over time, these small inefficiencies multiply—slowing production, increasing rework, and raising energy costs.
The shift toward smarter manufacturing isn’t just about automation—it’s about rethinking the materials and methods that hold assemblies together. That’s where structural adhesives come in.
The Advantages of Structural Adhesives in Manufacturing
Structural adhesives form strong, permanent bonds between metals, composites, and plastics—often outperforming mechanical fasteners in strength-to-weight ratio, vibration resistance, and corrosion protection. Unlike welding, adhesives distribute stress evenly across a joint, reducing weak points and improving fatigue life.
They also offer several operational benefits:
- Faster Assembly: No drilling or surface distortion required, reducing prep time and post-finishing.
- Lightweight Design: Adhesives eliminate excess fasteners and weld material, helping manufacturers meet fuel-efficiency and performance targets.
- Improved Aesthetics: Smooth, fastener-free surfaces mean cleaner product designs.
- Reduced Maintenance: Adhesive joints resist corrosion and vibration better than bolts or rivets.
For industries balancing throughput with precision, adhesives enable a cleaner, more consistent process—one that supports high-volume automation and robotic application.
To see how Hernon’s high-performance adhesives compare to traditional fastening, explore Fusionbond® Structural Adhesives, designed for fast curing, lightweight bonding, and high impact resistance.
Real-World Applications in Automotive, Aerospace, and Industrial Assembly
From automotive chassis bonding to aerospace composites and HVAC system construction, structural adhesives have become indispensable in today’s industrial landscape.
- Automotive: Used for bonding body panels, roof structures, and aluminum frames—reducing weight and improving crash energy absorption.
- Aerospace: Allows for multi-material bonding without adding stress concentrations, supporting fuel-efficient lightweight designs.
- General Industrial Assembly: In HVAC, electronics, and appliance manufacturing, adhesives provide vibration damping and long-term sealing where welds or screws once dominated.
Hernon’s Fusionbond® 375 and Fusionbond® 370 exemplify this versatility. These high-performance acrylic and epoxy adhesives replace welding and fasteners to improve structural integrity, sound damping, and aesthetics—all while reducing assembly time.
For applications requiring additional vibration resistance, Hernon’s Nuts N’ Bolts® threadlockers and Dripstop® sealants complement structural bonding to ensure complete assembly reliability.
Energy and Cost Savings Tied to Adhesive Bonding
The benefits of switching to industrial adhesive efficiency extend well beyond performance. Manufacturers report measurable savings in both time and energy:
- Lower Power Consumption: Adhesive bonding eliminates high-heat welding equipment and extended curing ovens.
- Reduced Material Waste: No fastener inventory, no spatter cleanup, and less rework.
- Streamlined Labor: Application can be automated and scaled with minimal operator training.
By simplifying assembly and reducing the number of steps in production, adhesives deliver tangible bottom-line improvements. For many companies, it’s a direct path to sustainability and profitability—stronger joints with a smaller environmental footprint.
Read how Fusionbond® structural adhesives are helping manufacturers increase efficiency and cut costs across industries.
Explore Hernon’s Structural Adhesive Solutions
Hernon’s Fusionbond® Structural Adhesives help manufacturers build stronger, lighter, and more efficient products. Whether you’re bonding metals, composites, or dissimilar materials, our advanced formulations offer speed, strength, and long-term reliability.
Explore Hernon’s structural adhesive line here.
