Understanding of water uptake mechanisms in an epoxy joint characterized by pore-type defects

This work aims to characterize the water uptake mechanisms of a two-component epoxy adhesive joint immersed in deionized water. The pore-type defects in the bulk adhesive after the cure cycle are highlighted and characterized using X-ray mu-tomography. Two population patterns of defects are generated and analyzed, for two different thicknesses. The waterfront is not detectable by mu-tomography for this adhesive because the densities of the water and the adhesive remain relatively close to each other. Instead, the volume variation and kinetics of pore water filling have been accurately identified. This analysis was completed by optical observations and gravimetric measurements.