Implementation of DIN 2304-1

Bonding technology is undisputedly regarded as a key technology of the 21st century. There is hardly a branch of industry or trade in which it is not used innovatively. Germany is considered the world technology leader in this field. The adhesive manufacturers’ products intended for industrial use are high-quality products whose manufacturing processes are “mastered” processes in accordance with standards.

The professional use of these adhesives – from planning to the bonded product – usually leads to a zero-defect production in the application. However, this is contradicted by the fact that, unfortunately, too many adhesives do not meet the requirements placed on them and failures occur during use. From an objective point of view, about 90 % of the occurring bonding defects are due to a lack of knowledge about bonding technology. The DIN 2304-1 “Bonding Technology – Quality Requirements for Bonding Processes” takes up the contradiction between adhesives enabling zero-defect production on the one hand and preventing adhesive defects on the other: If the main reason for bonding defects is not adhesive defects, but application errors, then improvements must be made in the application area.

Since bonding is a so-called special process, i.e. a production step or a finished product cannot be non-destructively checked for possible defects one hundred percent, all possible defects must be excluded on the way to the finished product and the process “controlled“ thereby.

DIN 2304-1 is therefore a standard for users. Its specific aim is to organize adhesive application processes in such a way that the user can “control” the entire process – from the idea to development and production of the bonded product – in the sense of the standard, i.e. make it robust and reproducible. In addition, the overall objective of DIN 2304-1 is to use qualified bonding applications to further develop the application areas of this key technology and thus to improve the poor image of bonding in some areas.

The quality management system according to ISO 9001 already in place in most companies is the basis for the introduction of DIN 2304-1.

The implementation of the requirements specified in this standard, however, requires extensive knowledge of adhesive technology and a good portion of experience. The procedure and the extent of the work depends not only on whether it is a new or an already introduced bonding application, but also on the application itself and in particular its classification into one of the four safety classes defined in DIN 2304-1.

The classification of the bond into one of the safety classes is based on the impact assessment for the case that the bond fails. In addition to a restriction or loss of usability, possible personal injury and environmental damage as well as financial and image damage resulting from any necessary recalls are also taken into account. It is not surprising that the demands placed on the quality performance of bonded joints along the entire bonding process chain – from development through production to maintenance – are increasing the greater the effects associated with bonding failure are.

Since I was involved not only in the creation of the standard but also in its supplementing documents and continue to be involved, you get this support from me first hand, so to speak