Strength of Adhesive Joints Immersed in Different Solutions

Abstract Polymethyl methacrylate/epoxy/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA/epoxy/PMMA) and aluminium/ epoxy/aluminium joints were immersed in different reagents including saline water, distilled water, sodium hydroxide solution, and sulphur dioxide solution. The joints were immersed in the reagents with and without a constant tensile load. The joints were also tested in air. Four loading periods were selected. At the end of each loading period, the joints were loaded in a tensile testing machine until failure. The results of the tests showed that the tensile strength of the aluminium joints was reduced, while that of polymethyl methacrylate was increased after immersion. The same results were obtained regardless of whether the submerged joint was loaded or not. Moreover, corrosion was found on the aluminium joints immersed in the sodium chloride solution and sulphur dioxide solution.