With improvements in toughness, reliability and water resistance, structural adhesives are finding increasing use in other areas of engineering. Adhesive joints are replacing welds in automotive structures and even in some offshore structures.
Structural adhesives give new possibilities for joining different materials.
To promote the use of structural adhesives in engineering through the development of improved testing methodologies. To provide analysis and testing services for the characterisation of adhesive materials, joints and structures. Run effective research and development programs for industry. MERL has advanced control single axis and bi-axial servo hydraulic test equipment for joint and materials tests. Structural and sub-structural tests can be performed under realistic service loading.