Disassembly analysis of hot-melt adhesive in mechanical joints

The mechanical properties of a commercially available hot-melt adhesive (HMA) have been studied under different environmental and loading conditions. To date, disassembly analyses including triggering features, design parameters, and time have not been fully investigated in the literature. In this study, experimental parametric studies have been performed on single lap joints considering the geometric features of the joint and a combination of thermo-mechanical effects. Disassembly time has been assessed through experimental analysis, considering variations in geometry, the use of alternative heat sources and different load conditions. Use of a heat gun as the heat source was found to lead to the highest variation in disassembly time compared to a static climatic chamber (i.e., industrial oven). In relation to the joint geometry, the disassembly time was mostly affected by the overlap length rather than the type or thickness of the base material. The outcomes of this study will drive the design of adhesive joints in mechanical applications, providing design-for-disassembly guidelines for the development of reversible joints employing hot-melt adhesives.