Strength Degradation of Steel-Adhesive-Joint in Water Environment

Abstract

The strength degradation of steel adhesive joint in water environment was investigated. A model is proposed in which the process of progressive decrease in joint strength due to water uptake is considered as that of progressive growth of an apparent crack at the joint interface, and the strength degradation of adhesive joint can be analysed on the basis of fracture mechanics.
It was found that in the specimens immersed in water for the same duration of time, the depth of the apparent crack increased with increasing water temperature, while the water concentration at the tip of respective crack was nearly the same. The fracture strength after immersing the joint in water at various temperatures was determined as a function of a single variable of Dt. The effect of side diffusion on the joint strength is not negligible in the case of longer immersion, especially at higher temperatures.