Postgraduate Diploma in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair. 8 modules covering ISO 4587 (tensile shear strength of lap joints), ISO 25217 (mode I fracture toughness of adhesive joints) and Abaqus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Explain the physical and chemical mechanisms of adhesion.
Select structural adhesives according to loads and environment.
Specify surface preparation for each substrate.
Design adhesive joints that minimise stress concentrations.
Characterise joints through standardised tests.
Plan structural repairs of composites using patches.
Apply adhesive techniques to the repair of metallic structures.
Who it's for
- Adhesive joints engineer looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Composite repair technician looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Materials engineer looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Bonding process quality inspector looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Structural analysis engineer looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Naval repair specialist looking to specialise in Adhesive Joints and Structural Repair.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter naval construction.
What you'll work with
- ISO 4587 (tensile shear strength of lap joints)
- ISO 25217 (mode I fracture toughness of adhesive joints)
- DIN 2304-1 (quality management in bonding processes)
- ISO 10365 (designation of failure modes)
- ASTM D1002 (shear strength of metal-to-metal adhesive bonds)
- DNV-ST-C501 (composite material components)
- ASTM D5528 (mode I interlaminar fracture toughness)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Adhesion mechanisms: mechanical, chemical and diffusion1.2Surface energy and wettability1.3Cohesion and adhesion1.4Failure types: adhesive, cohesive and mixed1.5Advantages of adhesive joints1.6Limitations and risks1.7Applications in marine and offshore1.8Comparison with bolted and welded joints1.9Durability in the marine environment1.10Case study: failure analysis of a hull-deck joint
2.1Mono- and two-component epoxies2.2Methacrylates (MMA)2.3Structural polyurethanes2.4Elastic silicone and MS polymer adhesives2.5Cyanoacrylates and anaerobics2.6Mechanical properties and glass transition temperature2.7Curing and its kinetics2.8Technical data sheets and selection2.9Hygrothermal ageing2.10Laboratory: comparison of curing for three adhesives
3.1Degreasing and cleaning3.2Mechanical abrasion3.3Plasma and flame treatments3.4Primers and adhesion promoters3.5Treatments for aluminium and steels3.6Composite preparation and peel ply3.7Control of surface contamination3.8Measurement of contact angle3.9Open time and environmental conditions3.10Practical: preparation of glass laminate for structural bonding
4.1Joint types: single lap, double lap, stepped and scarf4.2Stress distribution in the joint4.3Peel and cleavage stresses4.4Adhesive layer thickness4.5Finite element analysis of joints4.6Cohesive zone models4.7Fatigue of adhesive joints4.8Safety factors4.9Design standards and class guidelines4.10Workshop: sizing a double lap joint
5.1ISO 4587 lap shear test5.2T-peel test5.3DCB and ENF fracture tests5.4Salt spray ageing tests5.5Fatigue tests5.6Ultrasonic inspection5.7Active thermography5.8Kissing bond detection5.9Quality control in production5.10Laboratory: lap shear test
6.1Damage assessment in laminates6.2Bonded patch repair6.3Scarf repair6.4Sandwich core repair6.5Repair with prepregs6.6Curing with heat blankets and vacuum6.7Repairs to foils, keels and masts6.8Class approval of repairs6.9Repair documentation6.10Case study: scarf repair of a carbon fibre hull
7.1Composite reinforcements bonded to steel7.2Corrosion repair with patches7.3Fatigue crack repair7.4Repairs without hot work7.5Applications on FPSOs and platforms7.6DNV-RP-C301 guidance on composite repairs7.7In-service inspection of repairs7.8Service life and monitoring7.9Safety during application7.10Practical: design of a carbon patch over corroded plate
8.1Selection of damage case8.2Damage assessment8.3Selection of adhesive and materials8.4Design of the repair joint8.5Preparation and application procedure8.6Testing and inspection plan8.7Approval and documentation8.8Cost analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, Simcenter Femap, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for single lap shear and DCB tests, patch repairs on composite specimens, and ultrasonic inspection of joints. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physical and chemical mechanisms of adhesion.
Select structural adhesives according to loads and environment.
Specify surface preparation for each substrate.
Design adhesive joints that minimise stress concentrations.
Characterise joints through standardised tests.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
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 is 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, Simcenter Femap and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma of your own upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Diploma in Joints, Inserts and Racing Repairs
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in joints, inserts and repairs for racing yachts. 8 modules covering racing yacht composite structures, inserts and load points, structural…
Postgraduate Diploma in Dual-Fuel Engines and Plant Adaptation
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Dual-Fuel Engines and Plant Adaptation. 8 modules covering the IGF Code (Res. MSC.391(95), low-flashpoint fuels), MARPOL Annex VI (air emissions) and…
Diploma in Environmental Risks, Seasickness and Fatigue Offshore
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in environmental risks, seasickness and fatigue offshore. 8 modules covering fundamentals, the regulatory framework (MDR, ISO 13485, IEC 62304), analysis…
More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
All Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships