A Comprehensive Evaluation of Peel and Tensile Strength in Adhesive Bonding

André F. V. Pedroso; Raul D. S. G. Campilho; Arnaldo G. Pinto; Paulo J. R. O. Nóvoa; José G. F. Barbosa; Diogo A. M. Solha

doi:10.53941/jmem.2026.100018

Abstract

Adhesive bonding has become a key joining technique in structural engineering; however, accurate mechanical characterization of adhesive joints strongly depends on reliable testing methodologies. Despite the widespread use of peel and tensile tests, limited studies report the validation of dedicated fixtures capable of consistently assessing adhesives with markedly different mechanical behaviors. This work presents the experimental validation of newly developed in-house fixtures for floating roller peel testing (ASTM D 3167) and tensile butt-joint testing (ASTM D 2095). The devices were evaluated using two epoxy adhesives (Araldite^® AV 138 and Araldite^® 420 A/B) and one polyurethane adhesive (SikaForce^® 710). Results showed that grit blasting significantly enhanced peel strength, particularly for epoxy adhesives. SikaForce^® 710 exhibited the highest peel strength (up to 5.41 N/mm), while Araldite^® AV 138 demonstrated the highest tensile strength (29.04 MPa), closely matching manufacturer data. A clear contrast between ductility-driven peel performance and intrinsic tensile strength was observed. Predominantly cohesive failure in tensile tests confirmed effective adhesion to stainless steel substrates. The developed fixtures demonstrated robustness, repeatability, and suitability for characterizing adhesives across a wide range of stiffness and ductility, providing practical guidance for adhesive selection and joint design in structural applications.

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