Dissimilar Materials Bonding Using Epoxy Monolith

Abstract

Because metal components used for automobiles, aircrafts, and mechanical parts are recently replaced by lightweight plastics and polymer composites, tough and reliable bonding between dissimilar materials is one of the most important and challenging topics in the fields of adhesion and adhesives. We have developed a new type of dissimilar materials bonding technique using epoxy monolith as the adhesive mediator, which is bicontinuous and porous materials with high porosity and free surface energy. In this article, the recent development of dissimilar materials bonding technologies is reviewed, and then the fabrication of epoxy monolith and its application to dissimilar materials bonding are described in detail.