[Rocatec system--adhesion by tribochemical coating]

The Rocatec procedure as a novel acrylic/metal bonding system is presented. This procedure is based on the tribochemical application of a layer of a ceramic bonding agent by sand blasting, followed by the application of a silane solution. Its particular advantages are the speed and accuracy of coating, the fact that the adhesive layer can be visually checked, and that thermal stresses to the metallic framework are avoided. Shear/compression and tensile tests reveal increased bonding strength values with the Rocatec bonding system than with mechanical bead retention, even after thermocycling and storage in water for one year.