Modelling of Coupling between Mechanics and Water Diffusion in Bonded Assemblies

Structural adhesives are essentially amorphous polymers exhibiting viscoelastic behaviour. These glues are used near their glassy transition temperature. In this temperature range, their behaviour is driven by free volume evolutions. Equations governing thermo-diffuso-mechanical problem derive from the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. Viscoelasticity and free volume variations are treated by the non linear viscoelastic modelling of Knauss and Emri [Polym. Eng. Sci., 27, 86-100] in an isotropic and small strain framework