Effect of Pressure Cycling on Fracture Energy of Polyurethane/Aluminum Adhesive Bonds |
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| Authors: | Alyre Maclure Thomas Ramotowski |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Massachusetts , North Dartmouth, MA, USA;2. Devices, Sensors and Materials R&3. D Branch , Naval Undersea Warfare Center , Newport, RI, USA |
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| Abstract: | 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 (GC). The test specimens were pressure-cycled in water-filled tanks for 1 to 4 weeks with an increment of 1 week. The GC of pressure-cycled specimens was compared with both control and water-soaked samples (without pressure-cycling). The results indicated that pressure-cycling decreased GC 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. |
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| Keywords: | Aluminum 6061 Interfacial adhesive fracture energy Modified double cantilever specimen Peel testing Polyurethane Pressure-cycling Primer |
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