ASTM D4896-01(2016) - 1.5.2016
 
Significance and Use

4.1 Single-lap specimens are economical, practical, and easy to make. They are the most widely used specimens for development, evaluation, and comparative studies involving adhesives and bonded products, including manufacturing quality control.

4.2 Special specimens and test methods have been developed that yield accurate estimates of the true shear strength of adhesives. These methods eliminate or minimize many of the deficiencies of the thin-adherend single-lap specimens, but are more difficult to make and test. (See Test Methods D3983, D4027, D4562, and E229.)

4.3 The misuse of strength values obtained from such Test Methods or Practices as D906, D1002, D1144, D1151, D1183, D1780, D2294, D2295, D2339, D3163, D3164, D3165, D3434, D3528, D3632, and D5868, as allowable design-stress values for structural joints could lead to product failure, property damage, and human injury.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This guide is directed toward the safe and appropriate use of strength values obtained from test methods using single-lap adhesive joint specimens.

1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.3 The discussion focuses on shear strength as measured with small thin-adherend, single-lap specimens. Many factors, however, apply to shear modulus, tensile strength, and tensile modulus measured by small laboratory specimens in general. This discussion is limited to single-lap specimens and shear strength only for simplification.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E6-25

Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

D1002-10(2019)

Standard Test Method for Apparent Shear Strength of Single-Lap-Joint Adhesively Bonded Metal Specimens by Tension Loading (Metal-to-Metal)

D5868-01(2023)

Standard Test Method for Lap Shear Adhesion for Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Bonding

D1183-03(2019)

Standard Practices for Resistance of Adhesives to Cyclic Laboratory Aging Conditions

D1780-05(2020)

Standard Practice for Conducting Creep Tests of Metal-to-Metal Adhesives

D2294-96(2024)

Standard Test Method for Creep Properties of Adhesives in Shear by Tension Loading (Metal-to-Metal)

D2295-96(2024)

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Adhesives in Shear by Tension Loading at Elevated Temperatures (Metal-to-Metal)

D2339-20

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Adhesives in Two-Ply Wood Construction in Shear by Tension Loading

D2919-01(2023)

Standard Test Method for Determining Durability of Adhesive Joints Stressed in Shear by Tension Loading

D3163-01(2023)

Standard Test Method for Determining Strength of Adhesively Bonded Rigid Plastic Lap-Shear Joints in Shear by Tension Loading

D3166-99(2020)

Standard Test Method for Fatigue Properties of Adhesives in Shear by Tension Loading (Metal/Metal)

D3434-00(2018)

Standard Test Method for Multiple-Cycle Accelerated Aging Test (Automatic Boil Test) for Exterior Wet Use Wood Adhesives

D3528-96(2024)

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Double Lap Shear Adhesive Joints by Tension Loading

D1144-99(2021)

Standard Practice for Determining Strength Development of Adhesive Bonds

D1151-00(2022)

Standard Practice for Effect of Moisture and Temperature on Adhesive Bonds

D3632-98(2019)

Standard Test Method for Accelerated Aging of Adhesive Joints by the Oxygen-Pressure Method

E229-97

Standard Test Method for Shear Strength and Shear Modulus of Structural Adhesives (Withdrawn 2003)

D907-15(2023)

Standard Terminology of Adhesives

D906-20

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Adhesives in Plywood Type Construction in Shear by Tension Loading

D896-04(2025)

Standard Practice for Resistance of Adhesive Bonds to Chemical Reagents

D4562-01(2019)

Standard Test Method for Shear Strength of Adhesives Using Pin-and-Collar Specimen

D4027-98(2019)

Standard Test Method for Measuring Shear Properties of Structural Adhesives by the Modified-Rail Test

D3983-98(2019)

Standard Test Method for Measuring Strength and Shear Modulus of Nonrigid Adhesives by the Thick-Adherend Tensile-Lap Specimen

D3165-07(2023)

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Adhesives in Shear by Tension Loading of Single-Lap-Joint Laminated Assemblies

D3164-03(2025)

Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Adhesively Bonded Plastic Lap-Shear Sandwich Joints in Shear by Tension Loading