The bonding of steel with polymer

                Record Control Number : 199910481
                Quality Validation Date : 1999-03-26
                Update Date : 1999-03-26
                Title in English: The bonding of steel with polymer
                Title Original Lang. : Association de l'acier avec un polymère: caractérisation 
                comparative des structures obtenues a l'aide des outils de la 
                mécanique de la rupture et du contrôle non destructif et de la 
                microscopie acoustique
                Remark : Raport final
                Author(s) : IRSID (FR)
No Affiliation Available
                Bibliographic Reference : EUR 18437 FR (1998); Available from OOPEC Sales agents

                Abstract : Composites involving steel and organic materials, used for example 
                in sandwich panels on motor vehicles, require non-destructive 
                testing to ensure than the product is homogeneous and to guarantee 
                adhesion properties. This project aimed to compare mechanical and 
                non-mechanical methods of measuring the adhesiveness of polymers to 
                their steel substrate. The first part of this report covers the 
                development of non-destructive methods for detecting bonding 
                defects, using four different techniques: conventional ultrasonics, 
                acoustic microscopy, infra-red thermography and neutron radiography.
                 The second part concerns the mechanical tests used, and their 
                usefulness in measuring adhesion, and the last part compares the 
                results of the two kinds of tests. The most effective 
                non-destructive techniques of defect detection proved to be 
                ultrasonics and neutron radiography, though the latter is not 
                practicable for industrial use. It was seen that present ways of 
                interpreting mechanical adhesion tests were inadequate, because 
                they did not take into account the stiffness of the steel 
                substrates in the bonded assemblies. Conclusions of the comparison 
                were that none of the non-destructive techniques used is capable of 
                evaluating the state of adhesion between the two steel faces, and 
                therefore they could not be related to the peel and tensile/shear 
                tests. In certain cases, the non-destructive tests detected defects 
                which did not modify at all the results of the mechanical tests.
                Facet Codes : Properties of steel in use, Steel utilisation
                Availability in Languages : fr
                Publication Year : 1998
                Publication Type : A report issued by the Commission as an EUR report and identified 
                by its EUR number


CORDIS Database: RESULTS
                    
Systems of Waterproofing for Existing Masonry-Lined Tunnels (SWET)

                Record Control Number : 22060
                Quality Validation Date : 1999-04-06
                Update Date : 1999-04-12

                Abstract : The Project was conceived after long standing appreciation of the 
                problems associated with water ingress into existing masonry lined 
                tunnels and the difficulty in stopping such ingress. Partners were 
                selected from Portugal, Germany and United Kingdom, which provided 
                a complementary and multi-disciplinary Consortium with the 
                expertise required to address the problem. The aims of the project 
                were to remove all visible water and to reduce the level of water 
                in the tunnel lining to that where damage due to freeze/thaw 
                cycling does not occur.
                
                All the project work was carried out under a Quality Management 
                System. The core activity of the project was to develop systems for 
                waterproofing existing masonry lined tunnels but other support work 
                was required for the core activity to be carried out. Tunnel 
                condition evaluation and structural risk assessment knowledge was 
                necessary for a suitable waterproofing system to be conceived. Non 
                destructive testing methods were examined to provide detailed 
                information about masonry lined tunnels but none were found which 
                provided reliable data that was useful. The need to drill holes 
                through the tunnel lining was recognised as the best method of 
                evaluating conditions but the use of the endoscope to examine the 
                lining and the void behind the extrados was seen as a positive 
                advancement. During waterproofing trials, the intrados of the 
                tunnel lining was monitored for movement to ensure a safe system of 
                work. In addition, a complete Health and Safety plan was put in 
                place for every site trial.
                
                A variety of waterproofing trials were carried out in a disused 
                railway tunnel. The methods used for the trials were identified and 
                selected following Consortium brainstorming and included the 
                country rock injection, void filling, brickwork injection and 
                surface coating. Materials were selected and developed to provide 
                the required rheological and cure characteristics and plant and 
                equipment were chosen so that these materials could be mixed and 
                placed in a controlled manner. The best results were achieved by 
                void filling using cemetitious grout, but this trial had the 
                advantage of a defined methodology and confidence borne out of 
                discrete element analysis using the UDEC code. All visible water 
                ingress was removed. Ingress of 4.5 litres/m²/hour was reduced by 
                90% by void filling and eliminated by a secondary treatment using 
                brickwork injection.
                Subject Descriptors : Method, work study, Process control
                Subject Index Codes : Industrial Manufacture
                Stage of Development : Tested, available for demonstration
                Collaboration Sought : Joint venture agreement
                Programmes : BRITE/EURAM 3

                Contact Details
                  Contact Name : WHITCHURCH, P
                  Contact Organisation : Scientifics Ltd
                  Address : 500 London Road DE24 8BQ
                  City : Derby
                  Region : EAST MIDLANDS ERBYSHIRE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Derbyshire
                  Country : UNITED KINGDOM
                  Telephone Number : +44-1332-262669
                  Fax Number : +44-1332-264720