| Abstract: | The strength and durability in wet environment of aluminum/epoxy/aluminum joints are investigated as a function of structural changes of γ aminopropyltriethoxy silane (γ-APS) primer at the interface. Both dry and wet strengths exhibit strong dependencies on both the thickness and the extent of drying of γ-APS prior to joint formation. Generally, dry strength decreases with increasing thickness of γ-APS primer, and increases with dehydration of γ-APS at any given thickness. Strength retention of the joints after exposure to water at 55°C also improves dramatically when the adsorbed γ-APS is extensively dried. These results are analogous to earlier observations with α-Al2O3/polyethylene joint system. In aluminum joints, porous oxide substrate facilitates the mechanical interlocking mechanism, and its interplay with both the thickness and the extent of cure of γ-APS is analyzed by characterizing the fractured surfaces using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). |
