Effects of cyclic ageing on the tensile properties and diffusion coefficients of an epoxy-based adhesive

In real practice, adhesively bonded structures are usually exposed to cyclic environmental conditions. However, cyclic ageing processes are relatively unexplored. The aim of this study is to consider the effect of cyclic ageing on the rate of water uptake and the drying process in an epoxy-based adhesive. Fick’s law was considered to estimate the water diffusion coefficients for the ageing and the drying steps at different cycles. Different cyclic ageing times have been considered in the ageing procedure. Dogbone shape specimens were also manufactured and subjected to cyclic aging to investigate the tensile properties of the tested adhesive as a function of aging cycles. The gravimetric results showed that the rate of water uptake and drying is mainly a function of the level of water uptake of the first ageing cycle. Tensile test results showed that the maximum water content increases with each subsequent ageing cycle. It was also found that the Young’s modulus and the tensile strength of the adhesive decreased significantly after the initial ageing cycle, but all subsequent ageing cycles have considerably less influence on the mechanical properties of the adhesive.