ASTM D2557-98(2017)

Standard Test Method for Tensile-Shear Strength of Adhesives in the Subzero Temperature Range from −267.8 to −55°C (−450 to −67°F)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method may be used as an accelerated screening test for assessing the strength properties of adhesives and adhesive joints at subzero temperatures. This test method may also be used to determine the effects of various surface preparations, substrates, or adhesive systems on the durability of the adhesive joints at subzero temperatures.  
4.2 Tensile shear strengths of various adhesives, surface preparations, and substrates may be compared by using this test method for uniform sets of conditions. To assess the overall tensile shear strength of a given adhesive, surface preparation, and substrate should be tested under a range of stress and temperatures. For a specific end use, the needed strength properties using only one set of test conditions may be obtained.  
4.3 The misuse of strength values obtained from this test method as design-allowable stress values for structural joints could lead to product failure, property damage, and human injury.  
4.3.1 The apparent shear strength of an adhesive obtained from a given small single-lap specimen may differ from that obtained from a joint made with different adherends or by a different bonding process. The normal variation of temperature and moisture in the service environment causes the adherends and the adhesive to swell or shrink. The adherends and adhesive are likely to have different thermal and moisture coefficients of expansion. Even in small specimens, short-term environment changes can induce internal stresses of chemical changes in the adhesive that permanently affect the apparent strength and other properties of the adhesive.  
4.3.2 The problem of predicting joint behavior in a changing environment is even more difficult if a different type of adherend is used in a larger structural joint than was used in the small specimen.  
4.3.3 The apparent shear strength measured with a single-lap specimen is not suitable for determining design-allowable stresses for designing structural joints that ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the comparative shear strength of adhesives for bonding metals when tested on a standard specimen and under specified conditions of preparation and testing at extreme subzero temperatures.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to the temperature range from -267.8 to -55°C (-450 to -67°F).  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in 8.3.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2017
• ICS: 83.180 - Adhesives
• Technical Committee: D14 - Adhesives
• Drafting Committee: D14.80 - Metal Bonding Adhesives

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2557-98(2010)e1 - Standard Test Method for Tensile-Shear Strength of Adhesives in the Subzero Temperature Range from -267.8 to -55&#176C (-450 to -67&#176F)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM B265-20a - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM B265-20 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1002-10(2019) - Standard Test Method for Apparent Shear Strength of Single-Lap-Joint Adhesively Bonded Metal Specimens by Tension Loading (Metal-to-Metal)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4896-01(2016) - Standard Guide for Use of Adhesive-Bonded Single Lap-Joint Specimen Test Results
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Refers: ASTM B265-15 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM B265-13ae1 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM B265-13a - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM B265-13 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D907-12a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D907-12 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM D907-11a - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM B265-11 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Refers: ASTM B265-11e1 - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Refers: ASTM D907-11 - Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011

Overview

ASTM D2557-98(2017): Standard Test Method for Tensile-Shear Strength of Adhesives in the Subzero Temperature Range from −267.8 to −55°C (−450 to −67°F) establishes uniform procedures for evaluating the tensile-shear strength of adhesives bonding metals under extreme subzero conditions. Developed by ASTM International, this test method provides a comparative assessment of how adhesives and adhesive joints perform at very low temperatures, which is critical for industries where extreme cold impacts material performance.

The standard is especially valuable as a screening tool for comparing adhesives and joint preparations, and for understanding the strength and durability of bonded metal assemblies exposed to challenging subzero environments.

Key Topics

• Test Procedure: Specifies the preparation and testing of standard specimens bonded with adhesives, using metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium alloys, at temperatures ranging from −267.8 to −55°C.
• Applicability: Designed for laboratory evaluation but not as a direct predictor of structural joint performance or design-allowable stress values.
• Variables Considered:
  • Effect of surface preparation, substrate material, and adhesive system on bond strength and durability.
  • Influence of rapid temperature fluctuations and moisture, which can introduce stresses or cause permanent changes in adhesive properties.
• Reporting Requirements: Details what must be included in the test report, such as adhesive and metal identification, test temperatures, nature of fracture, and bondline thickness.

Applications

The ASTM D2557 test method is widely used in industries where bonded metal joints might be exposed to subzero temperatures, including:

• Aerospace and Aviation: For bonded structures or components subjected to high-altitude or polar conditions.
• Cryogenic Systems: Evaluation of adhesives used in the production and maintenance of equipment that operates with liquefied gases or in deep space environments.
• Automotive and Transportation: Ensuring adhesive reliability for vehicles or equipment deployed in extreme cold climates.
• Research and Development: Benchmarking new adhesive formulations or bonding processes under controlled subzero conditions.
• Material Selection and Process Qualification: Comparing different adhesives, surface preparations, and substrates to identify the most durable and reliable combinations for cold service environments.

Related Standards

For comprehensive adhesive evaluation and consistency, consider referencing these ASTM standards alongside D2557:

• ASTM D907: Standard Terminology of Adhesives
• ASTM D1002: Test Method for Apparent Shear Strength of Single-Lap-Joint Adhesively Bonded Metal Specimens by Tension Loading (Metal-to-Metal)
• ASTM D4896: Guide for Use of Adhesive-Bonded Single Lap-Joint Specimen Test Results
• ASTM B209: Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ASTM B265: Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip, Sheet, and Plate

Practical Value

• Provides a uniform framework for laboratory testing of adhesive joint strength under extreme subzero temperatures.
• Supports accelerated screening of adhesives for specific cold service applications.
• Helps product developers, materials engineers, and quality assurance teams compare adhesive technologies and bonding processes under standardized, repeatable conditions.
• Enhances safety and reliability by identifying adhesives and bonding methods that maintain strength under harsh, low-temperature service.

ASTM D2557 is essential for any operation that requires confidence in the performance of adhesive-bonded metal joints at subzero temperatures, enabling informed decisions in product design and material selection.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2557 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
Tensile-Shear Strength of Adhesives in the Subzero
Temperature Range from −267.8 to −55°C (−450 to −67°F)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2557; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope B265Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloy Strip,
Sheet, and Plate
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the com-
D907Terminology of Adhesives
parative shear strength of adhesives for bonding metals when
D1002Test Method for Apparent Shear Strength of Single-
testedonastandardspecimenandunderspecifiedconditionsof
Lap-Joint Adhesively Bonded Metal Specimens by Ten-
preparation and testing at extreme subzero temperatures.
sion Loading (Metal-to-Metal)
1.2 This test method is applicable to the temperature range
D4896Guide for Use ofAdhesive-Bonded Single Lap-Joint
from -267.8 to -55°C (-450 to -67°F).
Specimen Test Results
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 3. Terminology
only.
3.1 Definitions—Many terms in this test method are defined
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
in Terminology D907.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 This test method may be used as an accelerated screen-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ing test for assessing the strength properties of adhesives and
Specific precautions are given in 8.3.
adhesive joints at subzero temperatures. This test method may
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
also be used to determine the effects of various surface
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
preparations, substrates, or adhesive systems on the durability
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
of the adhesive joints at subzero temperatures.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2 Tensile shear strengths of various adhesives, surface
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
preparations,andsubstratesmaybecomparedbyusingthistest
method for uniform sets of conditions. To assess the overall
2. Referenced Documents
tensile shear strength of a given adhesive, surface preparation,
and substrate should be tested under a range of stress and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
temperatures. For a specific end use, the needed strength
A167 Specification for Stainless and Heat-Resisting
properties using only one set of test conditions may be
Chromium-Nickel Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (With-
obtained.
drawn 2014)
B209Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy
4.3 The misuse of strength values obtained from this test
Sheet and Plate
method as design-allowable stress values for structural joints
could lead to product failure, property damage, and human
injury.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D14 on
4.3.1 The apparent shear strength of an adhesive obtained
Adhesives and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D14.80 on Metal
Bonding Adhesives.
from a given small single-lap specimen may differ from that
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
obtained from a joint made with different adherends or by a
ɛ1
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2557–98(2010) .
differentbondingprocess.Thenormalvariationoftemperature
DOI: 10.1520/D2557-98R17.
and moisture in the service environment causes the adherends
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and the adhesive to swell or shrink. The adherends and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
adhesive are likely to have different thermal and moisture
the ASTM website.
coefficients of expansion. Even in small specimens, short-term
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. environment changes can induce internal stresses of chemical
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2557 − 98 (2017)
NOTE 1—Other alloys can be used as adherends, but caution should be
changes in the adhesive that permanently affect the apparent
used in choice since many alloys become brittle at extreme subzero
strength and other properties of the adhesive.
temperatures.
4.3.2 The problem of predicting joint behavior in a chang-
A
Metal ASTM Designation
ing environment is even more difficult if a different type of
Steel, corrosion-resistant sheet, 301 FH A167
adherendisusedinalargerstructuraljointthanwasusedinthe
Aluminum alloy, sheet, 2024-T3 B209
Titanium alloy, sheet, 5A1-2.5 Sn B265
small specimen.
4.3.3 The apparent shear strength measured with a single-
A
The above sheets shall have a thickness of 1.270 mm (0.050 in.) except in the
lap specimen is not suitable for determining design-allowable
case of the aluminum alloy sheet which shall have a thickness of 1.630 mm (0.064
stressesfordesigningstructuraljointsthatdifferinanymanner
in.).
from the joints tested without thorough analysis and under-
standing of the joint and adhesive behaviors.
7. Preparation of Test Specimens
4.3.4 Single-lap tests may be used for comparing and
7.1 Cut test specimens to dimensions from the test panel, as
selecting adhesives or bonding processes for susceptibility to
showninFig.3(B).Measurethewidthofthespecimenandthe
fatigueandenvironmentalchanges,butsuchcomparisonsmust
length of the overlap to the nearest 0.25 mm (0.01 in.).
be made with great caution since different adhesives may
7.2 Specimens are to have bonded, spot welded, or me-
respond differently in different joints. See Guide D4896 for
chanically attached doublers.
further discussion of the concepts relative to interpretation of
adhesive-bonded single-lap-joints.
7.3 Test specimens may be prepared by bonding indivi
...