ISO 9142:2003

Overview - ISO 9142:2003 (Adhesives, laboratory ageing for bonded joints)

ISO 9142:2003 is an international guide for selecting standard laboratory ageing conditions to test bonded joints made with adhesives. It defines controlled climatic and chemical exposures (temperature, humidity, immersion, cyclic profiles) and procedures for preparing, conditioning and testing specimens so that the effects of environmental influences on adhesive joints can be assessed. The standard emphasizes that accelerated laboratory ageing results are not directly equivalent to in-service lifetime, although correlations can be established for specific applications through experience.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Guidance on laboratory ageing conditions for evaluating bonded assemblies and adhesive performance.
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: Minimum conditioning (typically 24 h at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % R.H.) and preparation according to applicable test methods (e.g., tensile lap-shear).
• Apparatus: Requirements for conditioning chambers, dry-heat, humid, cold and controlled-pressure chambers with specified tolerances for temperature and relative humidity measurements.
• Ageing types:
  • Single-variable (temperature or humidity only)
  • Multi-variable (simultaneous heat and humidity)
  • Cyclic ageing (defined cycles combining heat, cold, humidity, immersion, thermal shock)
  • Special procedures and chemical exposures (see normative annexes)
• Preferred parameters: Lists of preferred temperatures, exposure periods (hours/weeks), and relative humidity levels to promote reproducible testing.
• Testing sequence: Tests before ageing, exposure per chosen annex, post-ageing conditioning and property measurements; include control specimens.
• Reporting and results: Express results as absolute values or relative variation; document visible changes, failure modes and deviations from the standard. Test report must reference ISO 9142 and list ageing details and cycles used.
• Limitations: Results are useful for comparison, screening and R&D but do not directly predict service life without validated correlation.

Practical applications

• Screening and comparing adhesive formulations under simulated environmental stress
• Quality control and verification of adhesive performance for specific service environments
• R&D and formulation optimization (humidity/temperature resistance, thermal cycling tolerance)
• Failure analysis to identify environmental mechanisms (cohesive vs. adhesive failure, corrosion)
• Establishing accelerated test programs for product qualification where field correlations exist

Who should use ISO 9142

• Adhesive manufacturers and formulators
• Materials engineers and product designers
• Test laboratories and QA teams
• Automotive, aerospace, construction and electronics sectors where bonded joints are critical

Related standards

Normative references cited in ISO 9142 include ISO 175, ISO 291, ISO 483, ISO 4587, ISO 4588, ISO 6238, ISO 9227 and ISO 4892 series - these provide companion methods for conditioning, mechanical testing and specific exposure procedures.

Keywords: ISO 9142, adhesives, laboratory ageing, bonded joints, ageing conditions, environmental testing, accelerated ageing, humidity, temperature, cyclic testing.