Processing and fracture behavior of a polyethylene-based thermoplastic adhesive and a glass-fiber filled epoxy adhesive

The processing and fracture performance of a high-density polyethylene (HDP E)-based thermoplastic adhesive and an epoxy-based thermosetting adhesive w ith a glass fiber additive were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize the processing parameters. Double cantilever beam (DCB) fracture testing and butt-joint tensile testing were used to ch aracterize the adhesive joint fracture toughness and strength. Although the thermoplastic adhesive had low strength, it exhibited high DCB fracture to ughness because of a large plastic deformation zone in the fracture process . The fiber additive in the thermosetting adhesive stabilized the DCB fract ure. Loading speed, adhesive thickness, pre-crack length, and curing temper ature were all considered in the study. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.