Review of Life Prediction Methodology and Adhesive Joint Design and Analysis Software

This report reviews predictive models suitable for evaluating long-term properties, residual strength and life expectancy of adhesive joints subjected to cyclic fatigue and/or hostile environments. Methods for simulating accelerated ageing are included in the assessment. Several different approaches, including mechanistic models, fracture mechanics, stress analysis and phenomenological models are considered. The predictive techniques and models identified will be evaluated within a subsequent experimental programme. Parametric studies are to be carried out to determine the effect of temperature and the level of degrading agent with the degree of degradation, identifying any synergistic or superimposed effects between environmental and loading parameters. The report also reviews a number of commercially available finite element analysis (FEA) and non-FEA software packages used for design of adhesive joints and materials selection. The report was prepared as part of the research undertaken for the Department of Trade and Industry funded project on "Performance of Adhesive Joints Combined Cyclic Loading and Hostile Environments". NPL REPORT CMMT(A)62 © Crown Copyright 1997 Reproduced by permission of the controller of HMSO.