Diploma in Structural Adhesives in Restoration
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in structural adhesives in restoration. 8 modules covering adhesion science, structural adhesive families, surface preparation, bodywork applications, heritage restoration, testing and quality control, and health and safety, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Structural Adhesives in Restoration — studying from Ireland
Ireland has an active heritage vehicle and classic machinery community, supported by clubs, restoration workshops and specialist suppliers serving classic cars, motorcycles and agricultural equipment. Engineering skills in this area combine historical knowledge with modern techniques in fabrication, materials and diagnostics. Restoration work is often linked to heritage conservation and museum collections, and classic vehicles operate under national roadworthiness and vehicle registration rules. Professional bodies and enthusiast organisations help maintain standards and knowledge across the sector.
Fees for Ireland: €1,490 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is there a recognised professional body in Ireland for classic vehicle restoration?
Classic vehicle restoration in Ireland is largely a craft and hobby sector, supported by enthusiast clubs and heritage bodies rather than a regulated professional title. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership or formal recognition. Check the requirements of any club or body you wish to join.
Would Irish restoration businesses or employers value this qualification?
Restoration businesses in Ireland often rely on hands-on skill, reputation and portfolio work. A private online qualification may add to your CV, but employers decide for themselves whether it is relevant. Your final project can help show your capability, though there is no guarantee of any outcome.
Can I study this part-time while keeping my current commitments?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home around existing commitments. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and each student has 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 adhesion mechanisms and joint design.
Select families of structural adhesives.
Prepare surfaces of different materials.
Apply adhesives in bodywork repair.
Use adhesives in line with heritage conservation criteria.
Test and control the quality of adhesive joints.
Work with adhesives safely.
Who it's for
- Bodywork restoration technicians.
- Adhesive bonding specialists.
- Vehicle interior restorers.
- Materials laboratory technicians.
- Industrial heritage conservators.
- Restoration workshop managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- ISO 4587 (lap shear strength of rigid-to-rigid bonded assemblies)
- ISO 10365 (designation of main failure patterns in adhesive joints)
- EN 15870 (tensile strength of butt joints)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration and restriction of chemicals)
- EN 204 (classification of thermoplastic wood adhesives)
- FIVA Charter of Turin (principles for the use and restoration of historic vehicles)
- Ansys Mechanical
- Microsoft Excel
- SolidWorks
- Agisoft Metashape
8 modules
1.1Mechanical and chemical adhesion mechanisms1.2Surface energy and wetting1.3Cohesive and adhesive strength1.4Design of lap and butt joints1.5Stress distribution in the joint1.6Failure modes to ISO 103651.7Creep and fatigue of adhesives1.8Effect of temperature and humidity1.9Advantages over welding and riveting1.10Workshop: wetting test using contact angle
2.1One- and two-component epoxies2.2Structural polyurethanes2.3Acrylics and methacrylates2.4High-strength cyanoacrylates2.5Anaerobic adhesives2.6Silicones and MS polymers2.7Period adhesives: animal glues and casein2.8Adhesives in modern bodywork2.9Technical data sheets and their interpretation2.10Practical: adhesive selection for a fibreglass panel
3.1Cleaning and degreasing3.2Abrasion and blasting3.3Adhesion primers3.4Plasma and flame treatments3.5Preparation of metals3.6Preparation of plastics and composites3.7Preparation of wood3.8Contamination control3.9Open times and assembly times3.10Lab: preparation of aluminium test specimens
4.1Bonding sheet-metal panels4.2Roof and sill joints4.3Fibreglass repair4.4Windscreen bonding4.5Combined adhesive and rivet bonding4.6Galvanic corrosion and protection4.7Manufacturer repair standards4.8Dispensing equipment4.9Curing and acceleration4.10Case study: replacement of a bonded panel
5.1Consolidation of fractured parts5.2Reversible joints in conservation5.3Restoration of interiors and trim5.4Bonding leather and textiles5.5Adhesives in instruments and clocks5.6Restoration of structural timber5.7Compatibility with original materials5.8Documentation of interventions5.9Charter of Turin criteria5.10Practical: consolidation of a Bakelite part
6.1Lap shear test to ISO 45876.2Peel test6.3Butt tensile test6.4Accelerated ageing6.5Non-destructive testing of joints6.6Ultrasonic inspection6.7Bonding process control6.8Records and traceability6.9Failure analysis6.10Lab: shear testing of joints
7.1Risks of isocyanates and epoxies7.2Skin sensitisation7.3Protective equipment7.4Workstation ventilation7.5Safety data sheets7.6Storage and shelf life7.7Waste management7.8Operator training7.9REACH regulations7.10Workshop: risk assessment of a bonding workstation
8.1Selection of the restoration case8.2Analysis of materials and loads8.3Joint design8.4Adhesive selection8.5Surface preparation plan8.6Validation tests8.7Documented execution8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Mechanical, Microsoft Excel, SolidWorks and Agisoft Metashape, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for shear testing of adhesive joints, repair of fibreglass panels and consolidation of fractured historical parts. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 4587, ISO 10365, EN 15870, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), EN 204, FIVA Charter of Turin.
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 Ansys Mechanical, Microsoft Excel, SolidWorks and Agisoft Metashape, 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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