Measurement of viscoelastic material properties of adhesives for SHM sensors under harsh environmental conditions

This paper addresses the influence of the viscoelastic material properties of adhesives on the functionality of SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) sensor applications. Adhesives behave viscoelastically and show a strong temperature and time dependency of their mechanical properties. Creep processes increase the deformation under mechanical load and relaxation can decrease the stress in the adhesives (polymer) with time. These processes are most effective in the temperature range of glass transition (Tg), at which the material behavior switches between the glassy and rubbery state and all material parameters change drastically. Additional the viscoelastic material properties are influenced by environmental loading like moisture as it behaves like a plasticizer in the epoxy matrix.