Effect of Pressure Cycling on Fracture Energy of Polyurethane/Aluminum Adhesive Bonds

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of pressure-cycling on adhesive bond fracture energy of polyurethane/aluminum adhesive bond joints. Initially, two types of peel tests were conducted to characterize adhesive bond strength and challenges associated with pre-mature polyurethane cracking and failure during these tests are discussed. A modified double cantilever beam (MDCB) specimen configuration was specially designed and opening-mode loading conditions were employed to determine the interfacial adhesive bond energy (G_C). The test specimens were pressure-cycled in water-filled tanks for 1 to 4 weeks with an increment of 1 week. The G_C of pressure-cycled specimens was compared with both control and water-soaked samples (without pressure-cycling). The results indicated that pressure-cycling decreased G_C values to those of the control and water-soaked samples: hence, prolonged pressure-cycling could be problematic to polymer/metal adhesive bonds of hardware installed outboard of submarine pressure hulls.