Report No 1 - Environmental Durability of Adhesive Bonds

This report is concerned with the environmental stability of adhesive-adherend interfaces. It acknowledges the fact that universal test methods and models do not exist to predict the service life of adhesively bonded assemblies. Instead a large number of specific tests have been developed to aid novice and experienced users. Test methods have been reviewed which are used in eight industrial sectors:

• Automotive
• Aerospace/Defence
• Construction
• General Engineering
• Packaging
• Footwear
• Electrical/Electronic
• Timber Products

Have been reviewed. They are grouped into analytical, development and standard/routine methods: lap shear, tensile, butt and peel configuration, cantilever beams and blister tests are considered. It is noted that durability tests are designed by each industrial sector with specific applications in mind with aerospace leading the developmental work. In considering durability performance, the report recommends the need to separate the effects of moisture, temperature and stress on: `

• Adhesive materials
• Adherend materials
• Interfaces

The development of suitable analytical methods to predict the service life of real joints from short-term accelerated tests remains a considerable challenge according to this report.



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