Other

Introduction, Selection and Standard Terminology

ISO 10365 (1992): Adhesives—Designation of Main Failure Patterns

Specifies the designations and illustrates, through diagrams, their respective appearances. It applies to all mechanical tests performed on a bonded assembly, regardless of the nature of the adherends and adhesive, which make up the assembly.

Environmental Conditioning and Durability

BS EN ISO 62 (1999): Plastics—Determination of Water Absorption

This international standard describes a procedure for determining the moisture absorption properties in the ‘through-the-thickness’ direction of flat or curved-form solid plastics. The international standard also describes procedures for determining the amount of water absorbed by plastic specimens of defined dimensions, when immersed in water or when subjected to humid air under controlled conditions. The ‘through-the-thickness’ moisture diffusion coefficient can be determined for single-phase material by assuming Fickian diffusion behaviour with constant moisture absorption properties ‘though the thickness’ of the test specimen. This model is valid for homogeneous materials and for reinforced polymer-matrix composites tested below their glass transition temperature. However, some two-phase matrices, such as hardened epoxies may require a multi-phase absorption model, which is not covered by this international standard.

Ideally, the best comparison of the water absorption properties and/or diffusion coefficients of materials should be carried out only using the equilibrium moisture concentration of plastics exposed to identical conditions. The comparison of materials using properties at moisture equilibrium does not assume, and is therefore not limited to, single-phase Fickian diffusion behaviour.

Alternatively, water absorption of plastic specimens of defined dimensions exposed to immersion or humidity under controlled conditions, but for an arbitrary time period can be used to compare different batches of the same material or for the quality control test of a given material. For this type of comparison, it is essential that all test specimens be of identical dimensions and, as nearly as possible have the same physical attributes (e.g. surface smoothness, internal stresses, etc.). However, moisture equilibrium is not reached under these conditions. Therefore, results from the type of test cannot be used to compare the water absorption properties of different types of plastics. For the more reliable results, simultaneous tests are recommended.

The results obtained using the methods described in the international standard are applicable to most plastics, but are not applicable to cellular plastics, granulates, or powders, which can show additional absorption and capillary effects. Plastics exposed to moisture under controlled conditions for defined periods of time to provide relative comparisons between them. The tests described for determination of diffusion coefficient may not be applicable to all plastics (e.g. plastics that cannot retain their shape when immersed in boiling water).

ISO 175 (1999): Plastics—Methods of Test for the Determination of the Effects of Immersion in Liquid Chemicals

This International Standard specifies a method of exposing test specimens of plastic materials, free from all external restraint, to liquid chemicals, and methods for determining the changes in properties resulting from such exposure.

It only considers, therefore, testing by immersion of the entire surface of the test specimen.

Note: Although it is not within the scope of this International Standard, it may also be of interest, when dealing with volatile liquids or those which give off vapours, to submit the specimen to the effect of only the gaseous phase above the liquid. In this event, it is advisable to proceed exactly as indicated, but to suspend the test specimen above the liquid, seal the container and maintain it at the test temperature throughout.

It is applicable to all solid plastics that are available in the form of moulding or extrusion materials, plates, tubes, rods or sheets, having a thickness greater than 0.1 mm. It is not applicable to cellular materials.

Methods for determination of changes in properties are specified as follows:

• changes in mass, dimensions and appearance immediately after immersion or after immersion and drying;
• changes in physical properties (mechanical, thermal, optical, etc.) immediately after immersion or after immersion and drying.

The test immediately after immersion is used when it is required to ascertain the state of the material while still acted upon by the liquid.

The test after immersion and drying is used when it is required to ascertain the state of the material after the liquid, if it is volatile, has been eliminated. It can allow determination of the influence of a soluble constituent.

ISO 291 (1997): Plastics—Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing

This International Standard sets out specifications relating to the conditioning and testing of all plastics and all types of test specimens at constant atmospheric conditions, which correspond to the average atmospheric conditions in laboratories. Special atmospheres applicable to a particular test or material or simulating; a particular climatic environment are not included in this International Standard.

ISO 483 (1988): Plastics—Small Enclosures for Conditioning and Testing Using Aqueous Solutions to Maintain Relative Humidity at Constant Value

Establishes guidelines for construction and use of enclosures with volumes less than 200 cubicdecimetre in order to obtain atmospheres of constant relative humidity at given temperatures. It specifies the procedures to be followed to maintain the relative humidities of conditioning and testing atmospheres using saturated aqueous salt solutions, glycerol/water solutions or sulphuric acid/water solutions. The guidelines described do not apply to enclosures requiring frequent opening.

ISO 4611 (1987): Plastics—Determination of the Effects of Exposure to Damp Heat, Water Spray and Salt Mist

This international standard specifies the exposure conditions of plastics under test to damp heat (steady state test or cyclic test), to water spray and to sodium chloride salt mist. It enables the determination of one or more properties before and after given periods of exposure in the specified environmental conditions and observation of any change appearance. The test duration shall be as specified in the relevant standard or as agreed upon by the interested parties with reference to the intended application.

ISO 9142 (2003): Adhesives—Guide to the Selection of Standard Laboratory Ageing Conditions for Testing Bonded Joints

The international standard describes laboratory ageing conditions under which adhesive joints may be exposed to various environmental influences—climatic or chemical—for the purpose of assessing the effects of such influences on certain properties.

The ageing conditions are applicable to bonded assemblies and may be used to constitute a set of tests for the evaluation of an adhesive.

The results obtained using the procedures described in this International Standard are not necessarily applicable to the determination of the service life of a bonded assembly because there is no direct relation between the test results and the behaviour of a bonded assembly over a period of time under service conditions. However, for certain specific applications, experience with the procedures may enable a correlation to be established.

ISO 10354 (1992): Adhesives—Characterization of Durability of Structural-Adhesive-Bonded Assemblies—Wedge Rupture Test

Simulates in a qualitative manner the forces and effects on an adhesive-bonded joint at a metal-adhesive/primer interface. It can also be used as a method of checking the surface preparation of substrates. The test is applicable at the present time to the bonding of aluminium and titanium alloys, but may be used for other metals and plastics, provided consideration is given to the thickness and rigidity of the adherends.

ISO 14615 (1997): Adhesives—Durability of Structural Adhesive Joints—Exposure to Humidity and Temperature under Load

This International Standard describes the equipment and the test procedure used to evaluate the durability of adhesive-bonded joints exposed simultaneously to heat, humidity and load.

This method is intended for the evaluation of structural and semi-structural adhesives used in hot and/or humid environments. It is particularly suitable for metal, composite and plastic adherends.

Surface Treatments

ISO 17212 (2004): Structural adhesives—Guidelines for the Surface Preparation of Metals and Plastics Prior to Adhesive Bonding

This standard provides and describes the usual procedures for the preparation of component surfaces prior to bonding for either laboratory evaluation or the process of construction. It is applicable to metal and plastic surfaces that are commonly encountered.