Page 212 - Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants

Quality Control and Nondestructive Tests 183

Figure 5.2 Example of water break free test for treated polymeric fabric. (Photo courtesy
¨
of Kruss USA).

5.3 Bond Inspection
After the adhesive or sealant is cured, the joint area can be inspected
to detect gross flaws or defects. This inspection procedure can either
be destructive or nondestructive in nature. The nondestructive type of
tests can be either visual or use advanced analytical equipment. These
types of bond inspections are described below.

5.3.1 Destructive testing
Destructive testing generally involves placing samples of the produc-
tion run in simulated or accelerated service and determining if it has
similar properties to a specimen that is known to have a good bond
and adequate service performance. It is desirable to fabricate a stan-
dard test specimen in the same cycle as the part actually being
bonded. The test specimen could be either test coupons (standard
ASTM test specimens), extensions of actual parts (i.e., tabs that can
be removed from the part and tested), or special test specimens that
are close to the actual part design but amenable to mechanical testing.
If a special test specimen is used, the specimen should be designed for
a test method that is easy to perform and indicative of the way the