Expedient Repair of Hydro-pneumatic Pipes with Adhesives

The paper presents research on expedient repairs, including battle damage repair methods of hydro-pneumatic pipes with adhesives. According to analyzed publications concerning battle damage of military equipment, various pipes and lines, which are used in military vehicles and aircrafts, are one of the most often damaged parts during combat operations. During experimental tests, the efficiency of damaged pipes repair was researched. Various methods of repair depending on pressure in the pipe and sort of damage were considerate. To conduct experimental tests of repair two kind of adhesive were used. It was composite adhesive Belzona 1111, which is used by many armies of NATO, and epoxy adhesive Epidian 57 hardened with Z-1. The conducted experiments proofed that both low pressure and even high pressure hydro-pneumatic pipes can be repaired in the field conditions with considered adhesives. Presented methods of repairs can be very useful especially during combat operations when the access to spare parts and disposal time is limited. Using to repair the manufacturer’s composite adhesive without any strengthening should be limited to low pressure pipes. The specific properties of epoxy adhesives must be considered before applying to repair, especially change of mechanical and utilitarian features at higher temperature.