Welding: Are There Better Alternatives To Hot Work?

Welding is one of the most recognized bonding techniques, where high temperatures generated by an electric arc or the burning of gasses are used to melt the materials so that they fuse into one. 

However, it also presents several personal and environmental safety challenges, downtime, and defects that can lead to failures. So what options do we have?

What is Cold Bonding?

One alternative to the traditional welding is cold bonding. This is a method where two parts or materials are joined without the use of heat. It is achieved with the use of an adhesive that forms a bond between the two materials.

A Simple Solution To Complex Problems

The cold bonding application is a simple technique that can solve highly complex issues in different and challenging situations. 

Belzona bonding was first used in the late 1950s to attach equipment ID tags. Over the years, materials were enhanced to resist higher pressures and temperatures as well as demonstrate comparably high adhesion and compressive strength.

Cold bonding is now considered to be a viable alternative to welding due to several reasons:

• There is no risk of sparks or electrical hazards and no need for hot work permits.
• Cold bonding can be used when cutting and welding are restricted due to a potentially explosive atmosphere.
• Fast and simple in-situ application without the need for special equipment makes cold bonding ideal for emergency repairs and challenging application areas, where access is restricted.
• There is no need for on-site machining, stress-relieving, and post-weld heat treatment.
• Cold bonding adhesive can conform to irregular shapes and substrates, filling the void between the surfaces. This ensures 100% contact which enhances load-bearing capability.
• The system is solvent-free, 100% solid, and environmentally friendly.

An example is the deck renovation plate bonding technology, developed in the early 2000s, which involves the use of multiple plates bonded in place using the Belzona material to create a new deck. 

Various other applications including irregular shimming or chocking, restoring structural integrity, and permanently bonding equipment and structures in harsh and challenging environments have been developed and proven through testing and case histories.

Belzona products and solutions for cold bonding is now approved as a permanent solution.