Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing

This study explores the development of adhesive joints incorporating embedded resistive heating elements, fabricated using Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing. By embedding conductive circuits within the adherends, localized heating enables controlled curing of the adhesive, optimizing its mechani...

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Main Authors: Mattia Frascio, Matilde Minuto, Francesco Musiari, Stefano Morchio, Khalid M. Usman, Federico Dittamo, Matteo Zoppi, Massimiliano Avalle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/5/151
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author Mattia Frascio
Matilde Minuto
Francesco Musiari
Stefano Morchio
Khalid M. Usman
Federico Dittamo
Matteo Zoppi
Massimiliano Avalle
author_facet Mattia Frascio
Matilde Minuto
Francesco Musiari
Stefano Morchio
Khalid M. Usman
Federico Dittamo
Matteo Zoppi
Massimiliano Avalle
author_sort Mattia Frascio
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the development of adhesive joints incorporating embedded resistive heating elements, fabricated using Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing. By embedding conductive circuits within the adherends, localized heating enables controlled curing of the adhesive, optimizing its mechanical properties according to the specific application. This study focused on modifying the stiffness of the adhesive in order to reduce edge effects in the joints and allow for better load distribution. The adherends were made of PLA, the resistive heating elements were fabricated using carbon black-filled conductive PLA, and an epoxy resin served as the adhesive. Thermal and mechanical characterizations were conducted, evaluating the effects of different curing temperatures on joint strength. The tensile strength for joints cured at 120 °C exhibited a 58% increase in maximum breaking force and a 144% increase in elongation at break compared to the joints cured at room temperature. These findings highlight the potential of AM-integrated resistive heating for precise adhesive curing, enabling the local tailoring of the adhesive stiffness in the overlap volume.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2504-4494
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
spelling doaj-art-525137f5ef8f4b9d90aa207f311c80962025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942025-05-019515110.3390/jmmp9050151Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive ManufacturingMattia Frascio0Matilde Minuto1Francesco Musiari2Stefano Morchio3Khalid M. Usman4Federico Dittamo5Matteo Zoppi6Massimiliano Avalle7Department of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Engineering for Industrial Systems and Technologies, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 181/A, 43121 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering—DIME, University of Genova, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, ItalyThis study explores the development of adhesive joints incorporating embedded resistive heating elements, fabricated using Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing. By embedding conductive circuits within the adherends, localized heating enables controlled curing of the adhesive, optimizing its mechanical properties according to the specific application. This study focused on modifying the stiffness of the adhesive in order to reduce edge effects in the joints and allow for better load distribution. The adherends were made of PLA, the resistive heating elements were fabricated using carbon black-filled conductive PLA, and an epoxy resin served as the adhesive. Thermal and mechanical characterizations were conducted, evaluating the effects of different curing temperatures on joint strength. The tensile strength for joints cured at 120 °C exhibited a 58% increase in maximum breaking force and a 144% increase in elongation at break compared to the joints cured at room temperature. These findings highlight the potential of AM-integrated resistive heating for precise adhesive curing, enabling the local tailoring of the adhesive stiffness in the overlap volume.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/5/151additive manufacturing (AM)FDMmulti-material additive manufacturing (MMAM)3D printingadhesive jointssingle-lap joints (SLJs)
spellingShingle Mattia Frascio
Matilde Minuto
Francesco Musiari
Stefano Morchio
Khalid M. Usman
Federico Dittamo
Matteo Zoppi
Massimiliano Avalle
Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
additive manufacturing (AM)
FDM
multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM)
3D printing
adhesive joints
single-lap joints (SLJs)
title Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
title_full Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
title_fullStr Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
title_full_unstemmed Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
title_short Thermal Curing of Adhesive Joints Enabled by Precision Heating Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing
title_sort thermal curing of adhesive joints enabled by precision heating multi material additive manufacturing
topic additive manufacturing (AM)
FDM
multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM)
3D printing
adhesive joints
single-lap joints (SLJs)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/5/151
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