Performance of Solvent and Water Based Primers in Epoxy Adhesive Systems.

Adhesive bond primers are critical to the quality and performance of an adhesive system. Primers are used to enhance adhesion and to prevent corrosion of the metal surface. Most current primers do not meet the 240gL compliance limit for volatile organic compounds VOCs and contain chromates. Waterborne primers, with reduced VOC levels, have been evaluated for future use as a replacement for these noncompliant primers. One primer being evaluated, BR Trade name 6757, is both a zero VOC and zero chromate primer. The object of this study is to compare the performance of the conventional solvent based primers BR Trade name 27 Cytec and EA Trade name 9205 Dexter with the recently developed and commercially qualified waterborne primers BR Trade name 6757 Cytec, BR Trade name 6747 Cytec, BR Trade name 6747-1 Cytec, EA Trade name 9257 Dexter, when coupled with various epoxy adhesives that are frequently used on naval aircraft. The mechanical and qualitative properties of these adhesive systems were evaluated via floating roller peel FRP, single lap sheer SLS, and wedge crack extension WCE tests.