NPL (The National Physical Laboratory)
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The UK's National Measurement Laboratory |
| The NPL Materials Centre is a leading organisation in the field of adhesives research built on a century of expertise in measurement and materials. The laboratory is a world leading centre in the development and application of highly accurate measurement techniques. As the UK's national standards laboratory, NPL underpins the national measurement system, ensuring consistency and traceability of measurements throughout the UK. NPL has been developing test methods for characterising the physical, mechanical and processing properties of polymeric materials for over 40 years. This expertise was applied to adhesives from the 1990's onwards through the DTI Performance of Adhesive Joints Programmes. | |
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NPL has successfully led projects aimed at developing and promoting techniques for providing accurate, quantitative properties of adhesive materials for use in the design and manufacture of bonded joints. The work has led to developments in all the important areas of adhesive testing including specimen preparation, cure monitoring, tack, bulk and joint specimen test methods, impact performance, new materials models, environmental durability procedures and techniques for assessing performance under continuous or cyclic loading. Having developed a better understanding of materials models in computer aided design packages for adhesives, NPL is helping industry develop reliable design procedures for modern materials systems. The findings of these research programmes have been distributed through Measurement Good Practice Guides, Measurement Notes, scientific papers and international standards to promote confidence and good practice in adhesive joining. |
| Close up a lap joint during tests to assess the accuracy of finite element predictions of failure in an adhesive bond. NPL develops accurate, quantitative measurement methodologies and materials models for design of adhesive joints. | |
For further information on our adhesives research please click here.
