Device for testing adhesive bonds
AssigneeState of Oregon acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
InventorPhilip E. Humphrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adhesive is applied to overlapping portions of a two-part test sample located between opposing press heads of the bond testing device. The press heads then press together the overlapping portions for a specific period of time while heating the test sample to a preselected temperature. The device precisely maintains the temperature while bonding the sample at a preselected pressure. A load cell measures the shear force required to separate the bonded test piece.
Claims17
A device for testing an adhesive bond between overlapping portions of first and second parts, comprising:
- a first clamp operable for clamping a first part;
- a second clamp operable for clamping a second part with a portion of the first part overlapping and adhesively bonded to a portion of the second part;
- a pair of press members, one press member being movable for pressing together the overlapping portions of the first and second parts;
- heat means connected to at least one of the press members, the heat means controllable for applying heat to the overlapping portions of the first and second parts while the overlapping portions are pressed together;
- a temperature controller connected to the heat means and operable by the user of the device for heating the first and second portions of the overlapping portions to any selected temperature of a range of temperatures;
- and
- shearing means actuatable after a preselected time for forcing the first clamp and the second clamp apart to force the first part away from the second part.
A method for testing a bonded test sample, comprising the steps of:
- securing a first part of the sample:
- securing a second part of the sample so that a portion of the first part overlaps and adheres to a portion of the second part;
- applying a preselected pressure by two press heads to respective overlapped portions;
- applying a preselected amount of heat to the two press heads and to the overlapping portions using a heater connected to at least one of the press heads;
- reducing, without eliminating, the pressure applied to the overlapped portions before shearing apart the overlapping portions after a predetermined time interval;
- shearing apart the overlapping portions;
- and
- measuring and displaying a force required to shear apart the overlapping portions, and a controlling and displaying a time the preselected pressure is applied to the overlapping portions.
A device for testing an adhesive bond between overlapping portions of first and second parts, comprising:
- a first clamp operable for clamping a first part;
- a second clamp operable for clamping a second part with a portion of the first part overlapping and adhesively bonded to a portion of the second part;
- a first press member;
- a second press member movable in a first direction for pressing the overlapping portions of the first and second parts against the first press member to apply a bonding pressure to the overlapping portions;
- heat means connected to at least one of the press members for heating the press member;
- an actuator for moving the first clamp in a second direction away from the second clamp to pull the overlapping portions apart after a predetermined time interval;
- and
- control means connected to the press members for reducing the bonding pressure as the actuator begins to move the first clamp away from the second clamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.