Posted to News on 11th May 2007, 00:00
Fastenings for composite panels
The use of composite panels and structures in the aero, auto, marine, construction and other core industries is growing rapidly. These new materials - utilising carbon fibre, GRP, glassfibre, thermoplastic, wood and alloy outer skins - are typically bonded to honeycomb, block, foam or solid core materials.
BigHead has supplied its unique thin-head fasteners to industry for 40 years. A technical partnership with Caparo Vehicle Products has now provided the composites know-how to perfect an entirely new, high-performance fastener for composite materials. The 316 stainless steel TwinDisk, with its simple, strong design and unique BigHead weld technology, provides a rapid and efficient fastening point anywhere in a structure. BigHead's own BigBond adhesives complete the system; for maximum strength, the two-part FS Acrylic version is recommended for all types of composite materials.
The Twindisk has two heads, or disks, joined by an internally-threaded collar or a threaded stud. A hole is drilled into the panel, adhesive applied, and the Twindisk pushed into the cavity. The bottom disk is glued to the bottom skin, and the top disk to the top skin (rebated or surface-mounted). Tensile, shear and lateral loads are efficiently transferred to both skins. Male versions are supplied with adjustable top heads, fitting depths from 5mm to over 100mm. Threads are M4 to M16 (male or female). Head diameters are 20mm, 30mm and 40mm. Other sizes can be supplied.
Unit 1, Black Moor Business Park
36A Black Moor Road
BH31 6BB
UNITED KINGDOM
01202 574601
