High Strain-Rate Compressive Stress-Strain Response of Bulk Epoxy Structural Adhesive

Abstract

The high strain-rate compressive stress-strain properties for bulk specimens of a two-part epoxy structural adhesive for general purpose industrial applications are determined on the standard split Hopkinson pressure bar at room temperature. The complete compressive stress-strain data including unloading process are obtained over a wide range of strain rates from 10^-3 to 10³/s. The effects of strain rate on the initial (secant) modulus, flow stress, dissipation energy and hysteresis loss ratio are discussed. The experimental results show that the bulk epoxy adhesive distinctively exhibits dynamic viscoelastic behavior like polymers.