Effects of the preparation, curing and hygrothermal conditions on the viscoelastic response of a structural epoxy adhesive

This paper addresses the viscoelastic behaviour of a commercially available cold-curing structural epoxy adhesive, under different preparation, curing and hygrothermal conditions. The main parameters studied were preparation method (influence degassing temperature initial curing), creep stress level, Tensile tests last up to 2400 h. Test results revealed that has great influence on tensile properties particularly response where at 20 °C showed lower deformations. Specimens 98% relative humidity faced tertiary then rupture. For adopted levels stress, adhesive shows linear behaviour, being parameterized using Burgers modified equations.