This article is based on an official press release from DELO Adhesives and Böllhoff.

DELO and Böllhoff Unveil 8-Second Curing Fastener for Aerospace Interiors

In a move designed to accelerate aircraft production and reduce cabin weight, German manufacturers DELO Adhesives and Böllhoff have announced a strategic partnership to adapt the ONSERT® fastening technology for the aerospace sector. The collaboration, detailed in a joint press release issued on February 19, 2026, introduces a bonding solution that reportedly cures in under eight seconds, significantly outpacing traditional epoxy methods.

The new system combines Böllhoff’s transparent plastic fastening elements with DELO’s specialized PHOTOBOND FB4151 adhesive. According to the companies, this technology is engineered to replace conventional screws, rivets, and slow-curing liquid adhesives, addressing the industry’s dual need for lightweighting and automated assembly. The solution is scheduled to be showcased at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg from April 14–16, 2026.

Rapid Curing for High-Volume Production

The core innovation highlighted in the announcement is the speed of the bonding process. While traditional two-part epoxies often require minutes or hours to reach handling strength, the DELO PHOTOBOND FB4151 adhesive is designed to cure in approximately eight seconds using UV or visible light irradiation. This capability is intended to facilitate robotic “pick-and-place” assembly, moving aerospace manufacturing closer to the high-speed efficiency standards seen in the automotive industry.

Sebastian Stasch, Product Manager for Industrial Solutions at DELO, emphasized the transfer of this technology from automotive to aerospace applications:

“Our light-curing adhesives have been successfully established in the automotive industry for years. Now they also enable efficient manufacturing processes with short cycle times and great freedom of design in the aerospace industry.”

Technical specifications provided by the manufacturers indicate that despite the rapid cure time, the adhesive maintains high structural integrity. The bond reportedly achieves a compression shear strength of approximately 20 MPa and offers high flexibility with an elongation at break of roughly 80%. This flexibility is critical for withstanding the vibrations and thermal expansion differences inherent in flight operations, with a stated operating temperature range of -40°C to +120°C.

Preserving Composite Integrity

A significant advantage of the ONSERT® system, as outlined in the release, is the elimination of drilling. Modern aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, rely heavily on composite materials like carbon fiber and honeycomb panels. Drilling holes into these materials can create stress concentrations, weaken the structural integrity, and generate hazardous dust.

By using a bonded fastener system, where a cable holder, clip, or stud is glued directly to the panel, manufacturers can preserve the substrate’s strength. Franz Drüke, Product Manager at Böllhoff, noted the reliability of the joint system:

“The combination of the ONSERT fastening element from Böllhoff and the DELO adhesive creates a powerful joining technology for aircraft interiors, lightweight, process-reliable and ideal for series production.”

The technology has already found a prominent adopter. According to the release, Recaro Aircraft Seating is utilizing the system in its CL6720 business class seat. Each seat requires approximately 100 attachment points for cable routing to support in-flight entertainment, power, and lighting systems. The switch to bonded fasteners contributes to weight reduction, a critical factor for fuel efficiency, and streamlines the complex assembly of seat electronics.

Regulatory Compliance

Safety remains the paramount concern in aerospace interiors. The press release confirms that the new fastening solution meets the rigorous flammability and toxicity standards required for cabin materials. Specifically, the system complies with FAR Part 25 § 25.853 (Vertical Burn Test) and meets Airbus standard ABD0031 for smoke density and toxic gas emissions.

AirPro News Analysis

The introduction of an 8-second curing cycle represents a significant shift for aerospace interiors. Historically, the “curing bottleneck” of traditional epoxies has limited the speed at which cabin sub-assemblies can be produced. As airlines pressure manufacturers to clear record backlogs, technologies that enable automation are becoming essential rather than optional.

Furthermore, the focus on “no-drill” solutions aligns with the broader industry push toward Net Zero 2050. By protecting the integrity of lightweight composites, manufacturers can utilize thinner, lighter panels without reinforcing drill sites, ultimately shaving kilograms off the empty weight of the aircraft. While individual fasteners save only grams, the cumulative effect across thousands of attachment points in a wide-body cabin offers measurable fuel savings over the aircraft’s lifespan.

Sources

• DELO Adhesives Press Release
• Böllhoff ONSERT Technology