Method of bonding, a bonded structure and a use of xylan

The present invention relates in a first aspect to (with reference to FIG. 1 ) a method of bonding together first ( 10 ) and second ( 12 ) components with an adhesive ( 13 ) in which Xylan ( 11 ) is applied to a surface of at least one ( 10 ) of the components ( 10, 12 ) and then the adhesive ( 13 ) is applied over the Xylan coated surface and then the adhesive ( 13 ) is used to bond the first ( 10 ) and second ( 12 ) components together with the adhesive ( 13 ) adhering to the Xylan coated surface. In a second aspect the present invention relates to a bonded structure which has at least first ( 10 ) and second ( 12 ) components bounded together with an adhesive ( 13 ) and wherein Xylan ( 11 ) is used as a surface coating on at least one ( 10 ) of the bonded components to improve the strength of the bond. In a third aspect the present invention relates to use of Xylan ( 11 ) to improve the strength of a bond between two components ( 10, 12 ) by coating a surface of at least one of the components ( 10, 12 ) with Xylan ( 11 ) prior to bonding the components ( 10, 12 ) together.