The surface treatment of stainless steels by electrolytic polymerization with 1, 3, 5-triazine-2, 4, 6-trithiol monosodium salt (TTN) in aqueous solution was investigated. This surface treatment improved the adhesion durability of epoxide resin adhesive joints in wet environment.
Three types of surface-analysis techniques were employed in an attempt to ascertain the bonding mechanism with this surface treatment. XPS and static SIMS results gave a strong evidence of covalent-bonding formation between sulfur atom of the TTN and metal atom of stainless steels. The formation of covalent bonding at the adhesive interface plays an important role in th e improvement of the adhesion durability, because it would be unlikely that water would readily displace such a strong interaction.
A model for the positive effect of the electrolytic polymerized TTN on the adhesion durability of stainless steels to epoxide resins was proposed.
View full abstract