Ultrasonic Imaging and Finite Element Analysis of Adhesively Bonded Cylinders

Abstract

Adhesively bonded structures are increasingly being used for marine applications. One such application involves the use of adhesively bonded cylinders of polyethylene—rubber—steel. Steel forms the inner-most cylindrical lamina and polyethylene forms the outermost layer of this component. The adhesively sandwiched lamina, rubber, is subjected to axial shear loads—tangential to the curved surfaces. For this component to perform well under load it is necessary that the adhesive bonds at the polyethylene-rubber and steel-rubber interfaces be strong and free of any deleterious delaminations. Any surface areas which are devoid of adhesive, have trapped gas, are not chemically bonded by the adhesive or are simply in mechanical contact, form areas of delaminations detrimental to the performance of these components.