7. Physico-chemical characteristics and durability

The aim here is to determine the bond's resistance to all kinds of agents likely to degrade it:

• physical agents: heat, ageing, frost ;

• chemical agents: water, acids, bases, solvents, oils, PVC plasticizers ;

• bacteriological agents, molds.

• General method for all these tests

  Mechanical strengths (shear, peel, tensile) are measured before and after subjecting the specimens to these physico-chemical agents, and the percentage drop in mechanical strength resulting from exposure is noted.

• Durability

  Many chemical and physical reactions double in speed every 10°C or so....