The thermomechanical properties, as well as the durability of adhesive joints using different epoxy polymer in the vitreous state was analyzed. The epoxy polymers based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with various aliphatic amines. Rheological tests were used to determine damping (tan δ = G"/G'). The adhesion tests were carried out in steel joints using single lap shear when submit to the action of the water, at ambient temperature and at 80 ºC, with the objective of evaluating the durability of the adhesive joints at different temperature. The best adhesive properties were obtained when exists high flexibility of chain between crosslink. The durability of the adhesive joints, when submitted to the action of the water cause smaller damage in the resistance adhesive to the polymer with piperidine. This behavior was associated to the low tendency of absorbing water of this polymer, due to the homopolimerization of the epoxy groups, what origin a network with low concentration of hydroxyl groups.
Epoxy polymer; adhesive joint; thermomechanical characterizations; durability
