Mechanical bulk properties and fracture toughness of composite-to-composite joints of an elastomer-toughened ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive

The bulk mechanical and fracture characterisation of an elastomer-toughened ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive were investigated using thin film and standard double cantilever beam specimens, respectively. It is shown that these properties are strongly dependent on the prevailing curing conditions. These in turn are influenced by factors such as surface chemistry, curing time, the use of initiators, and the concentration of stabilizing acids in the system which have a profound effect on the polymerisation reaction. The curing conditions in turn have been shown to greatly influence the phase separation of the elastomeric toughening agent and the effectiveness of its associated toughening mechanism. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.