Interfacial chemistry of corrosion-induced bond degradation for epoxy/dicyandiamide adhesive bonded to cold-rolled and galvanized steels

Abstract

The interfacial chemistry of a conventional epoxy/dicyandiamide adhesive formulation applied to cold-rolled and galvanized steels has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In both cases, the interfacial corrosion process appears to be dominated by attack on the metal substrate, and is reminiscent of crevice corrosion phenomena. On cold-rolled steel, analysis of the interfacial bond failure surfaces suggests that the contamination layer initially present on the substrate is not disturbed during bond formation. Bond failure appears to occur between the substrate and the contamination layer; the contamination layer remains largely intact on the interfacial surface of the adhesive after bond failure. On galvanized steel, the locus of failure appears to be at the adhesive-adherend interface, within a layer of zinc corrosion products. The contamination layer appears to have been partially displaced by the adhesive during bonding.