Mechanical properties of Methacrylic Plexus MA300 adhesive material determined in tensile test and butt joints of aluminum thick plates

Adhesive joints are an alternative method of joining elements. New adhesives achieve cohesion and adhesion strength comparable with plastics used for structural components and coatings. Bonding is faster, simpler and cheaper. For this reason, adhesive joints are increasingly replacing other types of connections. Tests show that the material properties in the cast adhesive specimens differ from the ones determined in the joint. Adhesive producers most often describe the strength of the overlap joint tested in accordance with ASTM D1002. Strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation to break tested in accordance with ASTM D638 are reported less frequently. The article presents a method for determining the mechanical properties of the adhesive in a butt joint and differences in the determined values in relation to the cast specimens on the example of methacrylic adhesive Plexus MA300. The tests were carried out for joining aluminium rod with a square cross-section of 15 mm x 15 mm and adhesive layer thickness of approximately 1 mm. The fractures of cast specimens and butt joints were analyzed