Joining marine materials and components using adhesives
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to undertake the joining of marine materials, using adhesive bonding processes in a marine engineering environment, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to work to instructions, using appropriate or specified bonding agents for the materials to be joined, that meet the specified conditions and subsequent operating conditions to be demanded of the joint. Particular attention will be needed in the preparation of the materials and the application of the bonding agent, as well as the means of securing the joint until the setting or curing process has been completed, to ensure that the finished component meets the level of accuracy required. The adhesive bonding agents used will include impact adhesives, cold curing adhesives, rubber mastic, solvent adhesives, epoxy resins and thermally cured adhesives. The joint will be of two or more materials and may include metallic and/or non-metallic materials and joints of dissimilar materials.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policies and procedures and/or those of the bonding agent manufacturers. You will be expected to report any problems with the bonding activities, agents or materials that you cannot resolve yourself, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to the adhesive bonding activities carried out. You will have an understanding of the basic characteristics of the materials to be joined, the bonding agents used and the procedures that go with them, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities safely and correctly and for achieving a sound and cohesive joint that is fit for purpose.
You will understand the precautions required when working with the various bonding agents and the safeguards necessary for undertaking the process. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibilities you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow the relevant adhesive bonding procedure specification and job instructions
- check that the materials to be joined and bonding agents comply with the specification
- correctly prepare the parent materials and bonding agents in line with the bonding specification
- carry out the joining operations using the specified processes and techniques to position and bond the materials in their correct locations
- ensure that any equipment used to maintain surface contact during the joining activities is set up and used correctly
- achieve adhesive bonds of the required quality and within the specified dimensional accuracy
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when bonding engineering materials, using adhesives in a marine environment (including general workshop and site safety, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), accident procedures)
- the statutory regulations, risk assessment procedures and COSHH regulations that apply to the work undertaken
- the personal protective clothing and equipment to be worn when carrying out bonding as part of the marine fabrication activities (such as gloves, eye/ear protection, safety helmets, respiratory protection)
- the specific workshop environmental conditions the must be observed when bonding marine materials (such as, temperature, humidity, fume extraction systems and equipment)
- the requirements for working in confined spaces (including an understanding of the importance of emergency procedures and safe systems of work – including safe evacuation and closing down compartments permits to work, required air quantities (RAQs) and local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to maintain safe conditions, the provision of adequate and safe lighting and avoidance of sources of ignition)
- how the usage of particular materials (such as adhesives and solvents) can result in a compartment (such as an accommodation space or tented enclosure) becoming a confined space
- the hazards associated with bonding fabricated marine components and how they can be minimised
- how to obtain the necessary job instructions, drawings and joining specifications
- how to interpret information from engineering drawings and related specifications, in relation to work undertaken
- the material preparations that are required and the equipment and consumables that are used
- the importance of working to organisational and bonding agent manufacturers' instructions whilst carrying out the bonding activities
- the methods and techniques used for bonding the materials (such as gluing, impact, chemical and thermal reaction techniques)
- the methods and precautions to be taken, when using adhesives and solvents
- the maintenance and care of tools and equipment
- methods of degreasing components and producing a keying surface
- the types and suitability of adhesives; setting or curing requirements and time for optimal strength, appearance and shelf life
- common causes of defects associated with the bonding processes and how to avoid them
- how to identify, select, use and clean the appropriate bonding agent holding vessels, brushes, stirrers, spatulas, scrapers, knives, clamps and weights
- why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
- the importance of cleaning up after use, to ensure that everything can be used again and to minimise the need to replace equipment
- reasons for checking that components are assembled in the correct sequence, are positioned accurately and to the correct orientation in accordance with the specifications, prior to bonding
- how to check that the completed joints are firm, sound and fit for purpose
- the procedures for cleaning off surplus adhesive and for tidying up the appearance of joints
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the adhesive bonding process:
- correctly prepare the materials for bonding
- select the right constituents and bonding methods
- check that the surfaces to be bonded mate properly to make a sound joint possible
- ensure that the joint is rigidly secure during the curing period
- remove surplus material and clean up at the appropriate time
Carry out adhesive bonding activities, using one of the following types of material:
- metallic
- non-metallic
- combinations of materials
Use two of the following types of adhesives:
- impact adhesives
- rubber mastic
- cold curing adhesives
- solvent adhesives
- epoxy resins
- thermally cured adhesives
- other specific adhesive
Produce bonded joints in three of the following types of marine components:
- flanged joints
- stores equipment
- protective covers/cladding
- square vent ducting/trunking
- toilet cubicles
- work surfaces
- circular ducting/trunking
- stowage racks
- kit lockers
- sectional trunking
- panels and cover plates
- pyrotechnic lockers
- shower cubicles
- tanks and tank covers
- hoods
- galley equipment
- pipework
- other specific marine component
Use a range of bonding equipment and devices, to include three of the following:
- mixing vessels
- jigs
- presses
- spatulas, brushes, knives
- formers
- weights
- spray equipment
- clamps
- temporary fixtures (such as clips, wiring)
Use a range of preparation and cleaning agents, to include one of the following:
- detergents
- solvents
- petroleum products
- acids
Produce bonded joints which comply with all of the following requirements:
- components are dimensionally accurate and of the correct orientation
- joints meet the required application standard
- completed joints are clean and free from surplus adhesive
- the completed joint has the required appearance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment