Just wondering what ideas are out there for controlling the bond gap between to mating parts? Something that would be bonded together with bonding paste with around 0.030" bond gap
I’ve heard of using thin washers as well has sand blasting media?
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance
I know that Americas cup teams have used blasting media for this purpose
Typically microspheres or mesh are used. Depending on the application you may have to be careful with mesh since it tends to wick water (as Boeing found).
0.030 is pretty thick. You may be better pre-assembling with putty balls to determine bond thickness and then adjusting as needed. You can also integrate features like nubbins (technical term) into your parts to create a consistent bond thickness.
Keep in mind that assembly sequence can be key. For example aircraft spars are bonded into upper skins first since the bond thickness there is more critical (compression loads).
For many methacrylates minimum bond line thickness is 0.040. I usually use washers, or even tongue depressors, nails, whatever I can find.
Maybe some scrap cured carbon pieces?