Research on Mechanical Properties of Single-Component Epoxy Designed for Bonding of Structural Joints

Abstract

An adhesive bonding technology is among the basic methods of bonding. However, it is limited by several factors, e.g. a treatment of bonded surface. Structural adhesives are chemicals. It follows that there are significant differences in the mechanical properties among particular types. The aim of the research was to evaluate the mechanical properties of single-component epoxy adhesives used in the transportation industry. The effect of a surface treatment of the steel surface on bond strength was also evaluated. The tested sets were mutually compared using Anova F-test from the point of view of the influence on mechanical properties (the tensile strength of adhesives, the elongation of adhesives, the adhesive bond tensile lap-shear strength, the elongation of the adhesive bond, the impact strength and hardness). The results confirm the assumption about the different behaviour of one-component epoxy. An important part of the experiment was to evaluate the influence of the surface treatment on the bond strength. From the result of experiments it can be concluded that the adhesive SP492 (p = 0.1898) and B5103-3 (p = 0.4263) are resistant to different types of tested treatment of the bonding surface.