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The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of interfacial covalent bonds on the adhesive behavior of an elastomer, a crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane, and a glass substrate. These covalent bonds were created by applying to both materials an appropriate surface treatment by means of plasma polymerization. Adhesion measurements were carried out by analyzing the contact area between a rubber hemisphere and a flat rigid glass plate. The contact was forced under a given compressive loading for different times tc, then the load was removed and the fracture propagation at the interface was recorded as a function of relaxation time tr. Finally, adhesion energies were also determined by means of a probe test using a tensile testing machine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

High interfacial strengths of elastomer to metal joints imply the formation of covalent bonds at the interface. It is proposed to deposit a plasma polymer coating containing double bonds on an aluminium substrate for the formation of crosslinks between the elastomer and the coating during peroxide crosslinking of the elastomer. Ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene terpolymer (EPDM) is considered here. Maleic anhydride is polymerised and reacted with allylamine to lead to an amide functionalised plasma polymer which is heated to produce imide functional groups. Plasma polymer coated aluminium/EPDM joints were evaluated by a peel test and the locus of failure was identified by several techniques: SEM, infrared spectroscopy, wettability, and XPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]