Bonding for Performance: How Adhesives Shape Modern Motorsport
Bolts, rivets and mechanical fasteners have always been used to hold a race car together, but adhesives and sealants are now another vital part of motorsport engineering. When a fraction of a second can be the deciding factor in whether a race is won or lost, material choice is vital, down to the smallest component and joint.
Adhesives touch nearly every part of professional racing cars, being are used in engines, electronics, interiors, and bodywork to advance speed and performance, with industry leaders partnering with world class Formula 1 teams for over a decade.
Why does motorsport rely on adhesives?
Some parts of racing vehicles have space limitations which make using mechanical fixtures impossible, instead, adhesives are used which will cure in the absence of air and without the need for clamping. They are also key to more aerodynamic structures, replacing fasteners for smoother surfaces and seamless joints.
Other benefits of adhesives over mechanical fasteners include:
- Weight reduction especially for electric vehicles
- Stress distribution
- Noise absorption and Vibration dampening
- Join dissimilar materials
- Faster manufacturing
- Corrosion prevention
- Protection against heat and moisture
Composites in Motorsport, why and how to bond them?
The growth of composite materials in motorsport engineering has increased the need for high-performance adhesives and sealants to join them together and to other materials. Carbon fibre is used for monocoques, bodywork, and aero components to name a few as it reduces vehicle weight, improving efficiency and speed.
Drilling holes into composite materials, especially carbon fibre, can damage the integral structure of the material weakening the fibres, making adhesives the better choice. Modern innovation also means that adhesives can bond composite to composite, and composite to metal applications allowing for more design flexibility.
Where are adhesives used for racing vehicles?
Adhesives are used across drivetrain, bodywork, aerodynamics and electronic components. Thread lockers are used to secure bolts for safety and performance in high impact areas while RTV silicones are used for sealing and potting in high heat areas like exhausts, engine bays and electronics.
Other areas adhesives are used in motorsport include:
- Structural bonding of bodywork and panelling
- Securing bearings, bushings and shafts to resist vibration and shock
- Tapes are used over seams to prevent air leakages and improve aerodynamics
- Engine and gearbox assembly
- Bonding interior trims and furniture
- Optically clear bonding for sensors and lights
- Repairs on carbon fibre and fibre glass moulded panels
- Bond metal brackets to carbon fibre
- Seal windows, doors, and lights
- Quick repairs, reducing pit time
Products to Consider:
- Permabond ET5428 Two-part epoxy for high strength bonding of composite materials
- Loctite 270 High strength thread locker to permanently lock and seal threaded fasteners to prevent loosening
- Loctite 620 High strength retainer for bonding cylindrical fitting parts in the absence of air.
- 3M 4611 VHB Tape to create permeant seals against moisture and replace mechanical fasteners
- Momentive RTV133 Electrical Silicone, UL rated, low flammability, for electronic applications.
Need help choosing the right adhesive for your motorsport application? Contact our Technical Team for advice, samples, and on-site consultations.
