Diploma in Adhesive Bonding and Joint Certification
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in adhesive bonding and joint certification. 8 modules covering adhesion science, surface preparation, bonded joint design, modelling and analysis, joint testing, certification of bonded joints, and bonded production and repair, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the physical and chemical mechanisms of adhesion.
Select surface treatments suited to each substrate.
Design adhesive joints for aerospace structures.
Model joints using analytical and numerical methods.
Plan and interpret joint tests.
Apply the certification requirements for bonded joints.
Control bonded production and repair processes.
Who it's for
- Adhesive bonding engineers.
- Bonding process engineers.
- Structural certification engineers.
- Test laboratory technicians.
- Quality engineers in aerospace manufacturing.
- Structural repair engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work for aircraft manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- EASA AMC 20-29 (composite aircraft structure, including bonded joints)
- FAA AC 20-107B (composite aircraft structure)
- CS-25.603 and CS-25.605 (materials and fabrication methods for large aeroplanes)
- ASTM D1002 (lap shear strength of adhesively bonded metal specimens)
- ASTM D3762 (wedge test for adhesive-bonded surface durability)
- ASTM D5528 (mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (DCB))
- ISO 4587 (tensile lap-shear strength of rigid-to-rigid bonded assemblies)
- NADCAP AC7124 (composites and bonding audit criteria)
- Abaqus
- ANSYS Mechanical
- MATLAB
- Krüss Advance
- Python (NumPy/SciPy)
8 modules
1.1Adhesion mechanisms1.2Surface energy and wetting1.3Contact angle and its measurement1.4Chemistry of epoxy adhesives1.5Film and paste adhesives1.6Primers and adhesion promoters1.7Curing and glass transition temperature1.8Adhesive, cohesive and mixed failure1.9History of bonded joints in aviation1.10Workshop: measuring surface energy on substrates
2.1Phosphoric acid anodising of aluminium2.2Sol-gel on titanium and aluminium2.3Peel ply treatment of composites2.4Sanding and grit blasting2.5Plasma and laser treatments2.6Contamination and its detection2.7Allowable exposure times2.8Surface quality control2.9Water break inspection2.10Laboratory: comparing surface treatments
3.1Joint types: lap, stepped and scarf3.2Stress distribution in the adhesive3.3Volkersen and Goland-Reissner models3.4Effect of adhesive thickness3.5Peel stress concentrations3.6Hybrid bonded and riveted joints3.7Joining dissimilar materials3.8Tolerances and part fit-up3.9Aerospace design rules3.10Practical: sizing a double-lap joint
4.1Analytical joint models4.2Finite element modelling of adhesive joints4.3Cohesive zone models4.4Fracture mechanics in adhesives4.5Energy release rates GIc and GIIc4.6Fatigue of adhesive joints4.7Environmental influence on strength4.8Validating models against tests4.9Crack growth analysis4.10Laboratory: cohesive zone model in Abaqus
5.1Lap shear test5.2Climbing drum peel test5.3Boeing wedge test5.4Double cantilever beam (DCB)5.5Mode II ENF tests5.6Accelerated ageing tests5.7Fatigue tests5.8Fractography of failure surfaces5.9Test pyramid5.10Practical: interpreting a DCB test
6.1AMC 20-29 and bonded joints6.2CS 25.603 and 25.605 requirements6.3Weak bond failures (kissing bonds)6.4Damage tolerance criteria6.5Crack arrest features6.6Qualification of bonding processes6.7Process control in production6.8Non-destructive inspection of joints6.9Lessons from bonded joint incidents6.10Case study: certification strategy for a primary bonded joint
7.1Bonding rooms and environmental control7.2Autoclaves and presses7.3Process records and traceability7.4In-service bonded repairs7.5Metallic and composite patches7.6Operator training and qualification7.7NADCAP process audits7.8Non-conformances and concessions7.9Industry best practice7.10Case study: investigating an in-service disbond
8.1Definition of the joint and requirements8.2Selection of adhesive and surface treatment8.3Design and sizing8.4Numerical modelling of the joint8.5Qualification test plan8.6Certification strategy8.7Production controls for the joint8.8Planned non-destructive inspection8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB, Krüss Advance and Python (NumPy/SciPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: wedge and DCB tests on adhesive joints, qualification of surface preparation processes and cohesive zone modelling of joints. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EASA AMC 20-29; FAA AC 20-107B; CS-25.603 and CS-25.605; ASTM D1002; ASTM D3762; ASTM D5528; ISO 4587; NADCAP AC7124.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB, Krüss Advance, Python (NumPy/SciPy), using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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