Gower, M R L; Broughton, W R (1999) Fractographic analysis of adhesive joints. NPL Report. CMMT(A)205

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Abstract

This report details a programme of work carried out to characterise the combined effect of environmental exposure and mechanical loading on the microstructure of adhesives and adherend surfaces in joints.Joints were examined both before and after testing to failure or after interrupting tests to assess the level of damage accumulation.One acrylic and two epoxy based adhesives were used together with mild steel,carbon/epoxy composite,and aluminium and titanium alloy adherends to form a variety of joints.Three analysis techniques:(i)scanning electron microscopy (SEM);(ii) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS);and (iii)X-ray refraction,were employed to examine whether physical/chemical changes in the appearance/structure of these surfaces,due to application of various loading and conditioning regimes,could be detected.
Results have shown that in general those joints based on mild steel (with the exception of T-peel joints)exhibited interfacial failure whilst aluminium and titanium alloy based joints tended to fail cohesively (with the exception of when F241 acrylic adhesive was used).For all joint configurations,the failure mode was independent of loading and conditioning regime used.SEM and XPS techniques were able to detect physical and chemical changes,respectively,in those adherends and adhesives effected by the various surface treatments and environmental conditioning regimes used.The X-ray refraction technique used for analysis of composite joints showed some promise, but further meaningful quantitative analysis will require specialist jigs and instrumentation.

Item Type:	Report/Guide (NPL Report)
NPL Report No.:	CMMT(A)205
Subjects:	Advanced Materials Advanced Materials > Adhesives
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:18
URI:	http://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/1257

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