This article describes an approach to predict the behaviour of an epoxy adhesive in bulk form in a marine environment. First, the material, the experimental conditions and the predictive framework are described. Then the experimental results are presented, which indicate that the effects on yield stress of either a uniform water profile or elevated testing temperature can be shown to be equivalent when plotted versus T-Tg. Moreover, a discussion of these results shows how they can be used to predict changes in the mechanical properties of the adhesive. Prediction results for yield stress are in good agreement when they are compared with experimental results for the case of a water profile gradient, in order to evaluate the relevance and limitations of the model.

International audienceMost of the adhesives used in the marine industry are polymers with a mechanical behaviour which is strongly influenced by the strain rate. Therefore, it is important to predict with accuracy their viscous behaviour. To describe their mechanical behaviour in a bonded joint, a viscoelastic-viscoplastic constitutive law is proposed here. The viscous effects on the elastic behaviour are described using a spectral distribution, which divides the viscous strain as the sum of the strains of several viscous mechanisms, each of them with a different characteristic time and weight. The viscoplastic component of the model permits a better description of the strong non-linear behaviour of the adhesives. The parameters of the constitutive law are obtained using an inverse identification procedure coupled with a finite element model. Two creep tests, in two loading directions, are needed in order to identify the viscoelastic part. The viscoplastic part is identified using monotonic tests. In order to validate the behaviour law and the identification procedure, the adhesive HuntsmanTMAraldite 420 A/B has been investigated and modelled. All the experimental tests have been conducted using the modified Arcan device