Constitutive Adhesive and Sealant Models

Abstract

A complete approach to modeling adhesives and sealants needs to include considerations for: deformation theories and viscoelasticity with linearity and nonlinearity considerations, rubber elasticity, singularity methods, bulk adhesive as composite material, damage models, the effects of cure and processing conditions on the mechanical behavior, and the concept of the "interphase."

Introduction

Most adhesives are polymer-based materials and exhibit viscoelastic behavior. Some adhesives are elastomer materials and also exhibit full or partial rubberlike properties. The word "elastic" refers to the ability of a material to return to its original dimensions when unloaded, and the term "mer" refers to the polymeric molecular makeup in the word "elastomer." In cases where brittle material behavior prevails, and especially, when inherent material flaws such as cracks, voids, and disbonds exist in such materials, the use of the methods of