What is cyanoacrylate
Superglue
How was cyanoacrylate discovered
By accident when developing other materials
What is cyanoacrylate often used for
To join dissimilar materials together, especially ones that are not very absorbent.
When is cyanoacrylate used medically
As a replacement to stitches
Cyanoacrylate advantages
It is a liquid, it will flow along a joint
It dries quickly so no need to clamp pieces together
It is difficult to break apart a joint glued by superglue
It is dissolvable by acetone
Cyanoacrylate disadvantages
If a mistake is made it is difficult to reposition or separate parts
If cyanoacrylate got on fingers they would be difficult to separate
What is press forming
Uses a two part die that is fitted inside a press. The material to be formed is placed in-between the two parts of the die before very high pressures are used to force the two halves together. The material that is being press formed is bent or stretched to match the shape and size of the die, once formed the material retains its new shape.
Press forming advantages
It is a rapid process with high repeatability
Press forming uses
Body panels for cars
Kitchen appliances
Television castings
Small electronic components
What is soft soldering
Used to join metals together using an alloy containing tin and lead however some more modern solders contain no lead. Can be used on copper, brass, tin and steel… with aluminium being more difficult.
What is the process for soft soldering
Clean all components to remove any grease or form of corrosion. The solder is heated up using a soldering iron or gas torch if using larger parts. Place the iron at the point where the two components are to be joined and as these heat up apply solder to the joint.
An example of what soft soldering is used for
Constructing electronic circuits where electronic components are joined to the circuit board
Soft soldering advantages
The solder will melt quickly and flow around the joint creating a permeant connection.
Butt joint- uses and tools needed
Simple boxes and frames
Tenon saw
Butt joint- advantages and disadvantages
Easy to construct without specialist tools
Lacks strength, easily broken/ damaged
Dowel joint- uses and tools needed
Framework, flat-pack furniture
Tenon saw, drill, dowels
Dowel joint- advantages and disadvantages
More strength than a butt joint
Accuracy is needed when drilling the holes for the dowels
Mitre joint- uses and tools needed
Picture frames, window frames
Tenon saw, mitre block
Mitre joint- advantages and disadvantages
Allows grain pattern to be continuous around the frame, no exposed end grain
Very difficult to construct with accuracy, lacks strength
Housing joint- uses and tools needed
Shelves in cupboards
Tenon saw, try square, chisel
Housing joint- advantages and disadvantages
Provides strength to the joint
Needs to be cut with accuracy
Lap joint and half-lap joint- uses and tools needed
Framework, drawers
Marking gauge, tenon saw, try square, chisel
Lap joint and half-lap joint- advantages and disadvantages
Provides a flush joint between pieces
Relatively low strength, accuracy needed when cutting the rebate for the joint
Bridle joint- uses and tools needed
Door frames, furniture
Marking gauge, tenon saw, try square, chisel
