Steel‐to‐Steel Connections with Adhesives

Abstract

The feasibility of connecting steel‐to‐steel with adhesives is examined. Specifically, the mechanical properties of structural adhesives, fabrication procedures, and properties of bonds are discussed. The mechanical properties of structural adhesives depend on temperature. In general, adhesives behave viscously at room temperature. Above certain stress levels, tertiary creep and creep rupture occur. An important adhesive material property is the diffusion coefficient, which controls the rate at which water enters an adhesive. The static strength of a bond depends on the cohesive strength of the adhesive and on the adhesion between the steel and the adhesive. If adhesion is the weaker link, then rupture is characterized by interfacial debonding. If adhesion is the stronger link, cohesive failure occurs within the adhesive, often due to tertiary creep. Creep rupture data for bonds made with two adhesives are given. Durability data on bonds stressed in 1984 are also presented. Studies on the fatigue and fracture toughness of bonds are briefly discussed.