Determining how to test the bond strength of plastics involves a three step process. The first step is to determine the bond that is to be tested and the temperature at which the plastic is to be tested. Is the plastic acting as a coating over another type of material or is it bonded to a material using an adhesive? Is the bond to be tested at elevated temperatures or is it to be tested below subzero temperatures? This will help to determine which machine to use and its accessories. The next step is to determine which type of test to perform. This will aid in the selection of the testing fixtures as each type of test will require a fixture that will allow the sample to be properly orientated so that the bond experiences the specific stress designated by the test. For example is the plastic acting as a covering that will be pulled directly away form or off of the material or is it adhered to another surface and going to be twisted during the test? Depending upon which way the bond is stressed during the test, the test can range from anywhere between a tensile test to a shear test to a pull test to any combination of those. The final step is to determine the shape and setup of the plastic sample that is used during the test. For example is the plastic acting as a wire covering or is it glued to a metal plate? This will also help to determine which testing fixture to use during the test as certain shapes and setups will require unique fixtures to hold them.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ASTM A944 Bond Strength Steel Reinforcement Rebar Test Machine
- ASTM A981 Bond Strength of Steel Ground Anchors - Test Machines
- ASTM C198 Cold Bonding Refractory Mortar Test Equipment
- ASTM C321 Bond Strength Mortars Test Equipment and Solutions
- ASTM D429 - Rubber to Metal Adhesion Test Equipment
- ASTM D897 Tensile Strength Test Equipment for Metal to Metal Adhesive Bonds
- ASTM D903 180 degree Peel Strip Strength of Adhesive Bonds
- ASTM D905 Wood Adhesive Bonds in Shear by Compression Loading
- ASTM D1002 Lap Shear Testing for Adhesively Bonded Metals
- ASTM D3762 Adhesive-Bonded Surface Durability of Aluminum (Wedge Test)
- ASTM D4501 Block Shear Strength Testing Equipment for Adhesive Bonds Between Rigid Substrates
- ASTM D4884 Strength of Sewn or Thermally Bonded Seams of Geotextiles
- ASTM D5041 Fracture Strength in Cleavage of Adhesives in Bonded Joints
- ASTM D6496 Bonding Peel Strength Between the Top and Bottom Layers of Needle-Punched Geosynthetic Clay Liners
- ASTM D7005 Bond Strength (Ply Adhesion) of Geocomposites
- ASTM F2724 Knee Dislocation Test Equipment
Recommended Test Machine
Forces up to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Modular series of five frame options with adjustable test space
Affordable testing option for tension, compression, bend, peel and much more
Forces up to 5 kN (1,125 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Tests at speeds up to 2,500 mm/min (100 in/min)
Best for high travel or high elongation test requirements
Force range of 5 kN to 600 kN (1,125 lbf to 135,000 lbf)
Adjustable test space
The most popular choice for static tension and compression tests
These dual column testers are available in both tabletop and floor standing models