Laboratory Tests for Assessing the Reliability and Durability of Innovative Cold-Glued 3D Glass Building Subcomponents

The paper shows the results of analyses of the behavior of an innovative subcomponent made of two glass shells and a plastic thermal belt interfaced with a resin-based adhesive, in order to define the plastic material–adhesive combination able to guarantee compliance with the requirements related to mechanical strength, thermoacoustic insulation, dimensional stability, material compatibility, and durability. Two different types of ultraviolet (UV)-curing adhesive were used to establish the best plastic–adhesive combination. A study of the mechanical behavior and the reliability over time of the bonded assembly was conducted by performing accelerated weathering tests and tensile tests on 30 specimens. The laboratory tests were performed using single-lap-joint specimens in accordance with the ASTM D1002, ASTM D3163, and ISO 4587:2003 standards. At the end of the accelerated weathering tests, it was possible to observe that the stress conditions simulated during the seasonal cycle inside the climatic chamber led some specimens to failure, without affecting others. To quantify, in real terms, the performance of the two analyzed adhesives over time, it is necessary to expose new specimens to the natural weathering effects induced by the environmental conditions for a duration of at least 1 year. Future studies would be useful for exposing new specimens to new seasonal cycles developed using the parameters of different climatic contexts than those used until now. This paper demonstrates the use of an innovative resin-based adhesive for gluing plastic and glass subcomponents together.