The Boeing Company
Compositions and methods for probing adhesive interfaces

Abstract:

Systems and methods for monitoring the health of an adhesive interface include the formation of an adhesive bond using an adhesive system incorporating molecular-scale magnetic markers covalently attached to polymer components, acquisition of images representing the distribution of magnetic markers within the adhesive bond at a first time and at a later time, and comparison of the images to detect displacement of the magnetic markers between the first time and the later time. The covalent link between the magnetic markers and the adhesive polymer components locks the magnetic markers in place as long as the adhesive bond remains healthy, so displacement of the magnetic markers between the first time and the later time indicates the presence of a bond defect. The images may be acquired using magnetic particle imaging and compared using digital image correlation. Chemical compositions for the magnetic markers are disclosed.