Investigation of Environmental Degradation on Joint Properties of Polymer Adhesive Joints in Salt Water Environment

Abstract

The objective of research work is to establish the influence of environmental factors such as moisture and temperature on the shear properties of metal and polymer joints. The specimens of metal and polymer joints were prepared with aluminium plate and glass fibre reinforced plastics. Here three types of resins were used for joining the metal and polymer composites viz. epoxy vinyl ester and polyester. The joint specimens were exposed to 80 C temperature and relative humidity of 90% for 25 days in environmental chamber. The single and double shear strength of the joints for ascast and hygrothermal exposed specimens are investigated. The results showed that the strength of hydrothermal specimens decreased about 25%, 18% and 33% for epoxy, vinyl ester and polymer adhesive joints respectively. The result also shows that vinyl ester joints exhibit lower water absorption and property degradation of the joints.