Overview
ISO 11343:2019 specifies the wedge impact method for determining the dynamic resistance to cleavage of high‑strength adhesive bonds under impact loading. It defines how to prepare specimens, the required apparatus and wedges, the test procedure (including impact speeds and data capture), and how to express results such as cracking force, cleavage force, average cleavage force and dynamic cleavage energy. The standard is intended for laboratory evaluation of adhesive joint performance and does not provide design information.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Dynamic impact wedge method for high‑strength adhesive bonds between two adherends (sheet metal or fibre‑reinforced plastics), commonly used in industry and automotive applications.
- Apparatus: Instrumented impact‑testing machine (pendulum, falling‑weight or servohydraulic) capable of at least 50 J impact energy and ≈2 m/s impact speed, a hardened steel wedge (symmetric or asymmetric), and a wedge support frame (total mass ~820 g ±5 g).
- Specimens:
- Two adherends bonded together; adherend thickness range 0.6 mm to 1.7 mm (typical industrial sheet materials).
- Preferred specimen width 20 mm (alternatives allowed if reported).
- Bond thickness measured to ±0.01 mm; maximum bond thickness 2 mm (discard specimens exceeding this).
- Minimum of five specimens per test series.
- Surface preparation per adhesive maker’s instructions or EN 13887; conditioning per ISO 291.
- Data capture & analysis:
- Record force‑time (or force‑displacement) during impact with sufficient bandwidth (response time an order of magnitude shorter than event).
- Identify characteristic points: cracking force, cleavage (plateau) force, and energy to failure.
- Note on signal processing: low‑pass filtering is permitted if documented (to mitigate resonant oscillations), but can affect accuracy.
- Reproducibility: Criteria for discarding tests (e.g., elongated bolt hole, irregular force curves) and precision guidance are provided.
Applications and practical value
- Evaluates impact‑resistance of adhesive joints used in automotive bodywork, structural assemblies, and other industries using metal or composite adherends.
- Useful for: quality control, comparative assessment of adhesives, material selection, and process validation where dynamic cleavage resistance under impact is relevant.
- Provides repeatable laboratory method to quantify adhesive performance under rapid cleavage‑type loading (peel/cleavage initiated by a moving wedge).
- Adhesive and adhesive‑tape manufacturers
- Automotive OEMs and suppliers (body-in-white, structural bonding)
- Materials and test laboratories performing impact adhesion testing
- Design verification teams and failure investigators (for comparative testing, not for direct design rules)
Related standards
- ISO 291 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- ISO 10365 - Adhesives - Designation of main failure patterns
- EN 13887 - Surface preparation guidelines for metals and plastics prior to bonding
Keywords: ISO 11343, wedge impact method, dynamic cleavage resistance, adhesive testing, high‑strength adhesive bonds, impact testing, automotive adhesive testing.