ANALYSIS OF CURING MODE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF AN ANAEROBIC ADHESIVE

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is used to investigate the inf luence of three parameters on the curing reaction of a standard anaero bic adhesive. The effects of metallic catalysis (iron, copper and alum inium), atmosphere (oxygen or inert gas) and temperature are compared. The mechanical resistances of the metallic substrate/adhesive couples are evaluated by performing a mechanical test, the three-point flexur e test. The surface properties (adherence) are then characterized. Fin ally, the influence of curing kinetics on mass (cohesion) is discussed . It was found that metallic catalysis by transition metals clearly in creases the curing kinetics and, for some cases, its effect on reactiv ity is more significant than the anaerobic or temperature parameters. It appears that the three parameters, when studied simultaneously, hav e a synergistic effect which does not necessarily give appropriate mec hanical properties, as has been shown by the mechanical test results. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.