Prediction of moisture diffusion and failure in glass/steel adhesive joints

Abstract

Glass/steel adhesive joints are being used increasingly in the construction industry as they offer significant structural advantages over conventional mechanical fastener approaches. However, adhesive joints are also known to be sensitive to moisture diffusion into the bondline, which reduces the interfacial bonding strength for hybrid glass/steel substrates. The effect of moisture on the performance degradation of glass/steel adhesive joints has been successfully predicted assuming adhesive property degradation but requires experimental determination of the affected moisture ingress zone. This study utilizes a multi-physics numerical approach implemented via the commercial finite element code Abaqus 2020, which firstly simulates moisture ingress into the adhesive/glass interface and subsequently couples the diffusion effects with a cohesive zone modelling approach for damage initiation and propagation. The numerical predictions are calibrated against experimental data on glass/steel Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens, which are bonded with a ductile methacrylate adhesive (Araldite 2047–1). The modelling approach is then validated against the experimental response of large double lap shear joints of a significantly different bondline geometry. It is demonstrated that the numerical model successfully predicts the critical exposure time for partial to complete joint degradation enabling the development of engineering guidelines for life-time prediction of various joint geometries.

From fundamental concepts to recent developments in the adhesive bonding technology: a general view

“…A numerical simulation was conducted using a multiphysics software, considering the source function, steel plate, and piezoelectric sensor, and detailing the adhesive layer, wear plate, piezoelectric ceramic, and backing material. This study was based on previous research that combined the structural wave propagation and sensor model using multiphysics [270]. da Silva et al [58] aimed to create a functionally graded adhesive through the introduction of iron microparticles dispersed in a polyurethane adhesive.…”

“…The numerical simulation was validated against experimental results in an SLJ. Katsivalis et al [270] used the Multiphysics capability of Abaqus software to simulate the moisture ingress into a glass/adhesive interface, followed by the coupled mechanical analysis using diffusion effects and CZM for damage studies. The numerical model was calibrated using a double cantilever beam specimen, and then, it correctly simulated the exposure time for partial and total joint degradation of a large DLJ, which has a different geometry from the double cantilever beam specimen.…”

Water Resistance of Acrylic Adhesive Tapes for Rooftop Fastening

“…However, these superior properties have not been sufficiently proven by third-party studies yet. While many studies focused on the durability of various adhesives in metal joints, e.g., [3][4][5][6], only several of them were focused on the adhesive tapes and their specialties-for example, in a failure mode.…”

Experimental measurement of moisture distribution in the adhesive layer using near‐infrared spectroscopy

“…In numerical analysis, the water absorption distribution of the adhesive layer is calculated using material diffusion analysis based on Fick's law of diffusion 21–23 . Furthermore, the strength and toughness are calculated by inputting the changes in the physical property according to the amount of moisture absorption 12,24–33 . In some studies, the amount of water absorption has been experimentally investigated by monitoring the changes in the strain, 22,34 which are induced by the swelling associated with moisture absorption, and changes in the modulus, 35 or by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy 36 .…”

“…[21][22][23] Furthermore, the strength and toughness are calculated by inputting the changes in the physical property according to the amount of moisture absorption. 12,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In some studies, the amount of water absorption has been experimentally investigated by monitoring the changes in the strain, 22,34 which are induced by the swelling associated with moisture absorption, and changes in the modulus, 35 or by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. 36 Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR)-transmission microscopy has been used to measure the diffusion of D 2 O in the adhesive layer, 37,38 F I G U R E 1 Schematic of the (a) open-faced specimen and (b) closed specimen.…”