Bonding method using mixture of adhesive and non-compressible beads

A method for bonding an exterior body member to an inner member, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) mixing a plurality of non-compressible beads with an adhesive to form a fluid mixture having a substantially uniform concentration of beads dispersed in the adhesive;
• b) pumping the fluid mixture to dispensing equipment;
• c) forcing the fluid mixture from the dispensing equipment and applying the mixture to at least one of the members;
• d) pressing the members together, with the fluid mixture being sandwiched therebetween;
• and
• e) said concentration of beads being at least about 5% by weight of the mixture and sufficiently high enough to prevent the adhesive from being squeezed from between the members, with the concentration of beads being less than about 20% and sufficiently low to provide a strong joint and prevent damage to said equipment.

A method of making an exterior automotive body part, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) mixing a plurality of glass beads having a diameter of 0.003 to 0.030 inches with a first component of a two-part epoxy adhesive to form a first fluid mixture;
• b) storing said first fluid mixture in a container;
• c) storing a second component of the epoxy adhesive in a second container;
• d) pumping the first component and second component of the adhesive from their respective containers to a metering device having a plurality of valves;
• e) pumping preselected proportions of the first component and the second component of the adhesive to an applicator gun having an elongated mixing nozzle;
• blending the first component and second component of the adhesive in the mixing nozzle to form a viscous fluid adhesive mixture having a concentration of beads in the mixture in the range of about 5-20% by weight of the mixture, the bead size and concentration being chosen so as not to damage the metering device and applicator gun while providing for a strong joint;
• g) forcing the viscous fluid adhesive mixture from the nozzle and applying the mixture as a strip onto one surface of a first sheet metal member adjacent an edge thereof;
• h) placing an edge of a second sheet metal member onto the surface of the first member, with the fluid adhesive mixture being sandwiched therebetween;
• i) hemming an edge of the first member over the edge portion of the second member to form a joint by applying a pressure therebetween of 2,000-10,000 psi while the strip of the adhesive mixture is in a viscous state, said adhesive mixture spreading under the hemming pressure to fill the joint and minimize air gaps therein, the glass bead size and concentration in the fluid adhesive mixture being chosen such that the beads fail to read through to an exterior surface of the part while serving to maintain a space between the members to prevent excessive adhesive from being squeezed from the joint during hemming;
• j) removing the hemming pressure, with the space between the members remaining essentially free of air gaps;
• and
• k) thereafter, allowing the adhesive to cure to a solid state.