Difference Between Welding and Bonding of Strain Gauges

Welding and bonding are the two primary techniques used to install strain gauges. The first method involves attaching a weldable strain gauge to a metallic surface and joining the two using a resistance spot welder. Conversely, bonding refers to the installation of strain gauges with an industrial adhesive. At HBM, we are frequently asked when it is appropriate to bond a strain gauge, and when welding is more suitable. We have put together a short primer discussing the advantages of each technique so you can see for yourself:

Advantages of Welding	Advantages of Bonding
Application at low temperatures where most adhesives cannot be applied due to to environmental curing conditions (e.g. oil pipelines).	Easy and quick installation with cold curing bonding materials.
Low sensitivity to humidity during installation of strain gauge (for rough environments)*.	Flexible installation on tricky areas (on radial surfaces or on small-dimensioned areas).
For long-term application in rugged environments.	A lot of different strain gauge variants are available.
	No welding device required (cheaper for standard applications).

* Protection of strain gauge after installation is recommended, since welding spots may be affected by corrosion.

Bonding and Welding of Strain Gauges with HBM

HBM is a world leader in strain gauge development and manufacture. We supply thousands of measurement solutions with additional accessories to improve the installation capacities of our components. Our strain gauge bonding materials include both cold- and hot-curing adhesives such as phenolic resin, methacrylate, and epoxy resin. These materials are easy to handle and suitable for experimental tests and transducer manufacturing. If your application requires welding, you can read more about the correct welding of strain gauges here. Feel free to explore our expansive range of strain gauges, or contact us if you would like any more information.

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