Journal of Adhesion, Vol.86, No.4, 409-429, 2010
Strength and Durability of Epoxy-Aluminum Joints
The adhesive strength and durability of adhesively-bonded aluminum joints in wet environments was analyzed. A2024-T4 alloy was subjected to two different surface treatments based on etching with chromic-sulfuric acid (FPL) and with sulfuric acid-ferric sulfate (P2). Small differences were observed in the lap shear strength as a function of the applied surface treatment. However, durability in humid environments was higher for the joints whose adherends were treated with P2. Although the amount of water absorbed by the epoxy adhesive is lower in saline environments, the effects on the glass transition temperature of the epoxy adhesive and on the lap shear strength of the joints are more marked than the effects caused by aging with distilled water. Finally, a new epoxy adhesive with a siloxanic hardener was tested, obtaining good mechanical properties, high glass transition temperature, moderate values of lap shear strength, and high durability in wet environments.