INTERFACIAL FRACTURE MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE BONDED JOINTS - REVIEW

A serious limitation frequently encountered in the use of structural adhesives is the deleterious effect moisture has upon the strength of a bonded component, especially when the component is also subjected to conditions of relatively high stress and temperature. It is generally recognised that while the locus of failure of well prepared joints is invariably by cohesive fracture in the adhesive layer, after environmental attack it is via failure in the interfacial regions. This interfacial locus of failure focuses attention on interfacial fracture mechanical considerations. This paper reviews mechanisms of environmental failure and considers techniques for estimating and increasing the service-lifetimes of bonded components. Particular emphasis is given to the contribution from the application of continuum fracture mechanics concepts to the study of environmental attack on structural adhesive joints. © 1979, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.