Effect of surface treatment on the durability of aluminium joints bonded with a butadiene-acrylonitrile-epoxide sealant

A sealant made from a stoichiometric mixture of amine terminated butadiene- acrylonitrile copolymer and epoxide resin has been used to make single lap- joints in aluminium. These have been immersed in jet-fuel, water, antifreez e and an antifreeze-water mixture prior to testing. Strengths were much inc reased by pre-treating the metal by phosphoric acid anodization or with sil ane coupling agents. Joints were weakened in antifreeze but not in jet-fuel or antifreeze-water. In water weakening of joints with the silanes is acco mpanied by corrosion. Crown Copyright (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.