Comparative Tests of Shear Strength of Adhesive Lap Joints after Thermal Shocks

This work presents the results of comparative tests for the determination of Young’s modulus and the static shear strength of adhesive lap joints, based on grade 316L steel. The tests also concerned the determination of the glass transition temperature of a certain adhesive composition: Epidian 57 epoxy resin with a 10% Z1 hardener content. The paper shows the test results for the surface free energy and selected surface roughness parameters, including photographs of the test specimens after destructive testing. The tests were comparative and performed on adhesive joints, with and without exposure to thermal cycling. The scope of the testing included a relatively short thermal cycling run of 500 cycles with a temperature variation of -40°C to +60°C. An analysis was carried out of the results from testing the static shear resistance of specimens manufactured using various methods of adhesive joint seasoning. The experimental test results were statistically processed in compliance with good research practice.