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1.1 This test method covers the determination of the apparent shear strengths of adhesives for bonding metals when tested on a standard single-lap-joint specimen and under specified conditions of preparation and test.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.3 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.

1.4 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.

4.1 This test method is primarily comparative. However, it does have application as a discriminator in determining variations in adherend surface preparation parameters and adhesive environmental durability. The test method has found applications in controlling surface preparations, primer, and adhesive systems for determining strength properties of tested systems.

4.2 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. 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.

4.3 Even in small specimens, short-term environmental changes may induce internal stresses or chemical changes in the adhesive that permanently affect the apparent strength and other mechanical properties of the adhesive. 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.

4.4 The apparent shear strength measured with a single-lap specimen is not suitable for determining design-allowable stresses for designing structural joints that differ in any manner from the joints tested without thorough analysis and understanding of the joint and adhesive behaviors.

4.5 Single-lap tests may be used for comparing and selecting adhesives or bonding processes for susceptibility to fatigue and environmental changes, but such comparisons must be made with great caution since different adhesives may respond differently in different joints. See Guide D4896 for further discussion of the concepts relative to interpretation of adhesive-bonded single-lap-joints.