An overview of interphase’s formation and participation on water diffusion in epoxy/metal bonded assemblies

This overview aims at gathering the various existing works on
interphases within epoxy/metal bonded assemblies. Indeed,
this particular area plays an important role on the adhesion
but also on the behavior in wet environment. Polymeric materi als being hydrophilic, water diffusion occurs when they are in
a humid environment. The water molecules then have an impor tant impact on the mechanical and physical properties. The
effect of water on the interfacial properties of adhesive joints
is large discussed in literature. In this article, a complete inter phase formation model is be proposed. This two-scenario model
explain all the experimental results observed in the literature on
the interfaces of a bonded joint. Moreover, hypotheses is made
on the water diffusion mechanisms and the diffusive properties
of the interface. This is allow explaining the change of the
fracture surface observed during the wet aging of a bonded
joint. A large number of studies have observed the transition
from cohesive to adhesive failure.