Adhesive Bonding of Neoprene to Metal in Sonar Devices.
Abstract
The front window on sonar devices is usually prepared by curing a slab of neoprene rubber in contact with a steel shroud and an aluminum head mass. A commercial, proprietary adhesive system consisting of a metal primer and a rubber adhesive is used to bond the window to the shroud and head mass. From time to time large numbers of failures of these bonds have occurred, resulting in the failure of numerous transducers. As a result, there is a need to understand the failure mechanisms of rubber to metal bonds and to develop a new adhesive system with known composition for obtaining strong, durable bonds between neoprene and metals such as aluminum and steel. Bonding rubbers to metals has always been a difficult process. Most rubbers show very little dry adhesion when cured in contact with the oxidized surfaces of metals. Moreover, it has been stated that it is virtually impossible to obtain a water resistant bond between a rubber and a hydrophilic mineral surface. As a result, it is usually necessary to pretreat the substrate surface in some way when bonding rubbers to metals. One procedure for obtaining strong, durable bonds between rubbers and metals is to use an organic interlayer such as a chlorinated rubber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157235
Entities
People
- F. James Boerio
Organizations
- University of Cincinnati