ASTM E1555-20

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1555 − 12 E1555 − 20
Standard Specification for
Structural Paste Adhesive for Sandwich Panel Repair
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1555; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification defines those characteristics that are required of adhesives to be used in the repair of sandwich panels for
durable, rigidwall, relocatable structures.
1.1.1 This specification covers two-part epoxy adhesive suitable for bonding aluminum alloy facings to nonmetallic core, core to
core, and core to perimeter aluminum extrusion frame in the repair of durable rigidwall relocatable structures. The adhesive shall
be suitable for forming bonds that will withstand exposure to temperatures from −54from −54 °C to 93°C (−6593 °C (−65 °F to
199°F)199 °F) and high relative humidity and will also withstand the combinations of stress, temperature, and relative humidity
that are expected to be encountered in service. The adhesive shall also be suitable for the bonding of panel inserts and edge
attachments.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard where only SI units are given, or where SI units are given first
followed by inch-pound units; where inch-pound units are given first followed by SI units, the inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods described in this specification. This standard does not
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B209 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
D1002 Test Method for Apparent Shear Strength of Single-Lap-Joint Adhesively Bonded Metal Specimens by Tension Loading
(Metal-to-Metal)
D1781 Test Method for Climbing Drum Peel for Adhesives
D2919 Test Method for Determining Durability of Adhesive Joints Stressed in Shear by Tension Loading
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.53 on Materials
and Processes for Durable Rigidwall Relocatable Structures.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012Sept. 1, 2020. Published December 2012October 2020. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20082012
as E1555 – 08.E1555 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/E1555-12.10.1520/E1555-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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E1555 − 20
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E864 Practice for Surface Preparation of Aluminum Alloys to Be Adhesively Bonded in Honeycomb Shelter Panels
E1091 Specification for Nonmetallic Honeycomb Core for Use in Shelter Panels
E1749 Terminology Relating to Rigid Wall Relocatable Shelters
2.2 Federal Specifications:
MIL-STD-401 Sandwich Constructions and Core Materials; General Test Methods
QQ-A-250/8d Aluminum Alloy 5052 H34 Plate and Sheet
QQ-A-250/11d Aluminum Alloy 6061 T6 Plate and Sheet
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminologies —For definitions of general terms related to building construction used in this specification,
refer to Terminology E631, and E1749 for definitions of general terms used in this specification.for general terms related to rigid
wall relocatable shelters, refer to Terminology E1749.
4. Material
4.1 The adhesive shall be a two-part thermosetting epoxy paste containing no asbestos and when tested using the test methods
described in Section 7, shall meet the requirements of Section 5. The adhesive shall not have a deleterious effect on the components
being bonded over the range of temperatures at which the adhesive will be used.
5. Physical Requirements
5.1 Working Characteristics:
5.1.1 Application—The adhesive shall be suitable for application to facings and core materials. The adhesive shall not drip and
shall not develop an overall average sag of 6.3 mm (0.25 in.) or more when tested in accordance with the procedures described
in 7.7.
5.1.2 Adhesive Life—The adhesive, when mixed in 1-qt 1 qt kit quantities in a standard quart paint can, allowed to sit for 30 min
at 2323 °C 6 3°C (73.43 °C (73.4 °F 6 5.4°F),5.4 °F), and then used to prepare test specimens as prescribed in 7.1 – 7.3, shall
still be able to deliver the lap shear property levels listed in Table 1 for the 23°C23 °C temperature test condition.
5.1.3 The adhesive, when mixed in a quart kit and allowed to stand in ambient still air, shall not, as a result of an exothermic
reaction, heat itself to a temperature of 49°C (120°F)49 °C (120 °F) or above. This shall be performed in a chemical fume hood
so that heat and any potentially toxic fumes that may be released as a result of exothermic reaction are controlled. A preliminary
test, using a pint kit, shall be conducted to determine if a potential problem exists.
5.1.4 Curing—The adhesive shall be capable of curing at 2323 °C 6 3°C (73.43 °C (73.4 °F 6 5.4°F)5.4 °F) in 7 days, or for no
longer than 3 h at a temperature of 6060 °C to 66°C (14066 °C (140 °F to 150.8°F),150.8 °F), with a curing pressure not to exceed
14 psig. In a 2323 °C 6 3°C (73.43 °C (73.4 °F 6 5.4°F)5.4 °F) cure, the curing pressure shall also be a maximum of 14 psig and
TABLE 1 Tensile Lap Shear (Test Method D1002)
Number of Average Must Minimum Must
A
Test Condition B
Specimens Exceed Exceed
to be
°C (°F) MPa (psi) MPa (psi)
Tested
−54 ± 3 (−65 ± 5) 6 13.8 (2000) 11.7 (1700)
23 ± 3 (73 ± 5) 6 17.9 (2600) 15.2 (2200)
60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) 6 16.5 (2400) 14.1 (2050)
93 ± 3 (199 ± 5) 6 10.3 (1500) 8.6 (1250)
60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) 6 8.3 (1200) 7.0 (1020)
A
After 30 day exposure to 6060 °C ± 3°C (1403 °C (140 °F ± 5°F)5 °F) and 95 to
100 % relative humidity.
B
All specimens tested must exceed these minimum values.
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E1555 − 20
shall only be required during the first 24 h of cure. In a 2323 °C 6 3°C (73.43 °C (73.4 °F 6 5.4°F)5.4 °F) cure, the adhesive shall
be capable of developing 3.45 MPa (500 psi) lap shear strength, when tested at 23°C23 °C temperature, within the first 24 h of
cure.
5.1.5 Mix Ratio—The mix ratio for the two parts of the adhesive shall be defined by the manufacturer but shall be in the range
from 10:1 to 1:1 by weight.
5.2 Storage Life—The storage life of the two parts of the adhesive, from date of shipment, when stored in airtight containers at
2323 °C 6 3°C (73.43 °C (73.4 °F 6 5.4°F),5.4 °F), shall be at least 12 months. The adhesive shall be considered to have met this
storage life requirement if all the characteristics described in 5.1 and 5.3 are met by the adhesive after the 12-month storage period
described above.
5.3 Mechanical Properties—The mechanical properties of the adhesive, when cured for 3 h at 6363 °C 6 3°C (145.43 °C
(145.4 °F 6 5.4°F)5.4 °F) or 7 days at 2323 °C 6 3 °C (73.4(73.4 °F 6 5.4°F)5.4 °F) at a cure pressure not to exceed 14 psig,
shall meet the requirements of Tables 1-4.
6. Significance and Use
6.1 Adhesives used in the repair of sandwich panels for durable, rigidwall, relocatable structures must have a combination of
mechanical property levels and environmental resistance that will ensure long-term durability of the adhesive bonds when exposed
to severe climatic exposures. In addition, these adhesives must have processability characteristics that permit their use in a variety
of repair scenarios and environments.
6.2 This specification defines those characteristics that are required of adhesives to be used in the repair of sandwich panels for
durable, rigidwall, relocatable structures.
7. Test Methods
7.1 Preparation of Test Specimens—The adherends shall be either 6061 T6 or 5052 H34 aluminum alloy (Federal Specifications
QQ-A-250/11d or QQ-A-250/8d, respectively, or Specification B209) and shall be cleaned as prescribed in Practice E864.
7.2 Apparatus—The testing machine shall conform to the requirements of Practices E4. The load range shall be selected so that
the maximum loads for each type of test conducted falls between 15 and 85 % of the full-scale capacity. Autographic equipment,
or equipment that will produce equivalent accuracy, shall be used to record loads.
7.3 Lap-Shear Strength—The lap shear tests shall be performed in accordance with Test Method D1002 and at the test conditions
listed in Table 1. In all tests the test chamber shall be stabilized at the test temperature for 45 min prior to the test and before the
specimens are placed in it.
7.3.1 Reduced and Elevated Temperature Tests—For the test to be conducted on specimens that have not been humidity-aged,
bring the specimens to the test temperature, as indicated by a thermocouple at the bond area, and stabilize for 10 min just prior
to test.
7.3.2 Elevated Temperature Test after Humidity Aging—The specimen shall be maintained in the humid environment until
immediately before insertion into the test chamber. The specimen shall be inserted into the test chamber and the chamber
temperature returned to the test temperature as rapidly as possible to minimize specimen dryout. Based on the thermocouple
located at the bond area, commence the test 2 min after the thermocouple returns to the test temperature.
TABLE 2 Flatwise Tension (Specification E1091)
Number of
Average Must Minimum Must
Test Condition
Specimens A
Exceed Exceed
to be
°C (°F) MPa (psi) MPa (psi)
Tested
−54 ± 3 (−65 ± 5) 6 2.11 (306) 1.79 (260)
23 ± 3 (73 ± 5) 6 2.11 (306) 1.79 (260)
60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) 6 1.56 (226) 1.33 (192)
A
All specimens tested must exceed these minimum values.
E1555 − 20
TABLE 3 Climbing Drum Peel (Test Method D1781)
Number of
Average Must Minimum Must
Test Condition
Specimens A
Exceed Exceed
to be
°C (°F) N-m/m (in.-lb/in.) N-m/m (in.-lb/in.)
Tested
−54 ± 3 (−65 ± 5) 6 18 (4.04) 15.3 (3.4)
23 ± 3 (73 ± 5) 6 36 (8.08) 30.6 (6.8)
60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) 6 24 (6.06) 22.7 (5.1)
A
All specimens tested must exceed these minimum values.
TABLE 4 Durability
...