What Can Adhesives Offer to Shipbuilding?

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of recent research into the feasibility and advantages of using toughened structural adhesives to replace some conventional welding for primary structures in the shipbuilding and associated marine industries. The concept is explored through its application to the stiffener/ plate connections of thin-plated grillage structures where a number of advantages can be identified. These include the potential for elimination of thermal distortion and residual stress with little penalty in cost or weight. Data are becoming available on such longer-term problems as durability in the marine environment, high-temperature performance (including creep), fatigue and impact resistance. Research is continuing to improve understanding and increase confidence in application to large-scale structures. The paper concludes that the benefits to be gained from using adhesives to achieve novel structural configurations, possibly involving dissimilar materials, will provide continuing impetus to research and development in this area.