Rigid and Flexible Double Shear Lap Adhesive Joint at Elevated Temperature—An Experimental Study

Double lap adhesive connections made of Sika(®) PS and Monolith EP2579-1 were studied experimentally in shear tests. The destructive shear tests were conducted under a quasi-static load at 20 °C and 80 °C. The aim was to study the impact of elevated temperature on the load capacity of the joint and make a comparative analysis of the results for two types of adhesives: polyurethane Sika(®) PS (flexible) and epoxy Monolit EP 2579-1 (rigid). The impact of adhesive layer thickness (t = 1, 2 and 4 mm) on the structural response of the joint was tested in two temperature ranges. A distinct impact of the temperature on the joint deformability was noticed. A visual assessment of the joint failure was performed and the initiation and form of failure was described. At 20 °C, the ultimate loading for epoxy adhesive joint depending on the joint thickness (t) was greater than for the polyurethane joint by, respectively, 282% for t = 1 mm, 88% for t = 2 mm and 279% for t = 4 mm. It was proved that the temperature increases to 80 °C in case of both adhesives reduces the mean destructive force in comparison with the measurements made at 20 °C. For the Sika(®) PS (PUR two-component polyurethane) adhesive, the greatest load capacity decrease was measured for the joint of thickness t = 2 mm (55%), and in case of the epoxy adhesive for the joint of thickness t = 4 mm (89%). It was found that after reaching the destructive force the flexible joints retain a partial load capacity contrary to the rigid joints.