The weathering resistance of adhesive bond between rail and insulator (vinylon-epoxy laminate) in the truck circuit was studied with special reference to the effect of surface treatment for metal.
The test pieces were prepared according to ASTM D-905-49, and subjected to the accellerated weathering test. Shearing strengths were determined after 3, 6, 9 days exposure. The sharp differences between treated and untreated samples were observed in adhesive strength, its decrease by weathering, and the degree of corrosion of the metal at breaking surface. After 9 days exposure, the untreated sample broke down of itself at the metal-adhesive interface with heavy rusting on metal surface; while the phosphate-treated one showed no significant decrease in shear strength, no rusting on metal surface. It is concluded that the adhesive system used in the outdoor steel construction must be evaluated in terms of the weathering resistance which mainly depends on the corrosion resistance of the metal surface.