Empirical investigations on the effects of ionizing radiation on epoxy structural adhesives and resins: An overview

Depending on the type of application, ageing effects can highly influence the properties of adhesives. Radiation environment as it can be found in space missions, nuclear reactors - both fusion and fission and particle detectors represents hazardous conditions for adhesives due to the polymer chains of which it is composed. Ionizing radiation interacts through the mechanism of chain scission and crosslinking with these chains resulting in a change of physical properties. In the present study, a comprehensive literature review is conducted regarding the influence of ionizing radiation on the mechanical properties of epoxy adhesives. Radiation damage tests are expensive and complex in terms of operational safety. Therefore, it is desirable to screen the results of previously conducted experiments. 126 data sets collected from about 46 articles are analysed, homogenised, and visualised to provide an overview of the current state of this field of research. The data is categorised according to the performed test and the type of applied load. Mechanical properties are plotted over irradiation dose. Since conducting irradiation tests are often costly and includes hazards, the collection of data sets presented in this study brings huge benefit to the adhesive community. In the future, high demand for such data is becoming apparent due to the recent boom in the space industry and the major efforts made in the field of nuclear fusion development. The provided data can be used by designers, engineers, and scientists for sizing adhesives joints under radiation environment by taking this particular ageing effect into account.