Thanks Max. As you have probably guessed I use these at work. I dont know the exact formulation of the silanes we use as the manufacturers are very secretive about their chemistry. I do know that they seem to work with most metals, ceramics and resins. They are extremely technique sensitive too. ANY deviation from the approved technique will fail. Not grit blasting metal/ceramic WILL fail. The 'glue' is far less important than the surface treatment but the correct technique for the particular material is vital. I have many successful silane bonded metallo-ceramics up to 20 years old in perhaps the most demanding environment.
Pop rivets? Yeah I use those too. Not in people's heads though.
A few years ago I was witness to an engineer (now no longer with us) treating a trailing edge main rotor blade delamination to a quick slap of some stuff with "Bell Helicopter" written on the tube. Needless to say by the next annual the 'bond' had failed.
Last edited by Gaseous; 3rd May 2009 at 21:57.
Reason: typo