How Click Bond Ensures Consistency

How do you guarantee the correct pressure and joint strength during cure? Click Bond uses purpose-built fixtures applying uniform force, paired with precise prep and adhesive control for consistency

Short Answer:
Click Bond ensures positive pressure during the adhesive cure process through the use of purpose-built fixtures that apply uniform force across the bond area. Consistent joint strength is achieved by combining positive pressure, proper adhesive selection, good surface preparation, and standardized installation processes.? The fixture holds the fastener in place until the adhesive is fully cured. 

Why is the installation fixture so important in adhesive bonding?

In structural adhesive bonding, the quality and strength of the joint depend heavily on maintaining the positive pressure during the cure cycle. Improper fixturing may lead to:

• Voids or air bubbles

• Excessive adhesive squeeze-out

• Inconsistent thickness along the bondline, which may result in lower attachment strength

• Reduced durability over the long term 

Ensuring consistent positive pressure during the cure process is one of the most critical steps in achieving aerospace-grade joint integrity.

How Click Bond Ensures Correct Pressire is Applied During Cure

1. Engineered Fixtures Apply Calibrated Force
Click Bond’s fasteners are supplied with precision fixtures that apply positive pressure on the bonding surface. These fixtures, which may be placed externally (removable) or internally (not removable) are designed to:

• Prevent tilting or rocking

• Maintain a consistent adhesive bondline thickness

• Control adhesive spread and squeeze-out 

2. Controlled Adhesive Application

Click Bond recommends careful adhesive selection and appropriate application volumes based on the specific fastener being applied. Controlled dispensation of adhesive helps prevent inadequate adhesive quantities being used. Excessive adhesive application may not only add weight and cost, but it may affect fixture performance and/or fixture removal. Meanwhile, dispensing insufficient amounts of adhesive may result in adhesive bondlines that contain voids and/or lack adhesive fillets, which may result in less-than-optimal attachment strength.

3. Repeatable Process for Consistent Results
Click Bond’s unique combination of engineered fixtures, precise adhesive selection, and standardized steps for installation eliminates variability from one technician or job to another. This controlled process delivers repeatable, certifiable results across high-mix, high-volume production environments. 

How do you ensure the bond has consistent joint strength?

Consistent joint strength isn’t the result of a single step — it’s the result of an integrated, validated process:

1. Surface Preparation
Bonding surfaces are cleaned, abraded, or chemically treated (depending on material type) to enhance adhesion. Surface energy and cleanliness are critical factors for consistent bond quality.? 

2. Adhesive Chemistry and Cure Profile
We recommend matching the adhesive selected to the substrate, environment, and loading conditions. Cure profiles (time and temperature) should be controlled to achieve optimum adhesive performance.

3. Application of Positive Pressure with Installation Fixtures During Adhesive Cure 
As explained above, the fixture maintains correct bond line thickness and adhesive distribution — both of which are vital for joint durability.

4. Design for Bonded Joint Geometry
Click Bond’s installation fixtures are designed to distribute adhesive evenly in a consistent bond line thickness and provide positive pressure to the adhesive during the adhesive cure process. This ensures reliable joint performance under tension, shear, and peel loading.

5. Inspection and Validation
Click Bond recommends, at minimum, a visual examination to verify an adhesive bead completely around the periphery of the fastener base. Some applications may also require non-destructive testing (NDT) to verify joint integrity. In critical applications, some customers may require batch traceability and process logging.

What happens when positive pressure bond line control fails?

If positive pressure isn’t properly applied during the cure period, the joint may exhibit:

• Inconsistent thickness or bond coverage

• Decreased tensile, shear, or peel strength

• Failure to meet aerospace or defense specs

That’s why positive pressure isn’t optional — it’s engineered into every Click Bond solution.

In Summary: Positive Pressure and Strength Are Engineered, Not Assumed

Click Bond fasteners are part of a complete system: fixture, adhesive, surface prep, and cure process. By using engineered fixtures to ensure the proper amount of positive pressure and a controlled, repeatable process, we ensure each bond meets the highest standards of strength, reliability, and performance.

Whether you're bonding to metal or composite materials, our system helps eliminate guesswork, so your team can bond with confidence.

RELATED FAQ