1.1This test method covers the determination of the push-out force, nominal joint strength, and nominal burst pressure of bonded ceramic end-plugs in advanced ceramic cylindrical tubes (monolithic and composite) at ambient and elevated temperatures (see 4.2). The test method is broad in scope and end-plugs may have a variety of different configurations, joint types, and geometries. It is expected that the most common type of joints tested are adhesively bonded end-plugs that use organic adhesives, metals, glass sealants, and ceramic adhesives (sintered powders, sol-gel, polymer-derived ceramics) as the bonding material between the end-plug and the tube. This test method describes the test capabilities and limitations, the test apparatus, test specimen geometries and preparation methods, test procedures (modes, rates, mounting, alignment, testing methods, data collection, and fracture analysis), calculation methods, and reporting procedures.

1.2In this end-plug push-out (EPPO) test method, test specimens are prepared by bonding a fitted ceramic plug into one end of a ceramic tube. The test specimen tube is secured into a gripping fixture and test apparatus, and an axial compressive force is applied to the interior face of the plug to push it out of the tube. (See 4.2.) The axial force required to fracture (or permanently deform) the joined test specimen is measured and used to calculate a nominal joint strength and a nominal burst pressure. Tests are performed at ambient or elevated temperatures, or both, based on the temperature capabilities of the test furnace and the test apparatus.

1.3This test method is applicable to end-plug test specimens with a wide range of configurations and sizes. The test method does not define a standardized test specimen geometry, because the purpose of the test is to determine the nominal joint strength and nominal burst pressure of an application-specific plug-tube design. The test specimen should be similar in size and configuration with the intended application and product design.

1.4Calculations in this test method include a nominal joint strength which is specific to the adhesives, adherends, configuration, size, and geometry of the test specimen. The nominal joint strength has value as a comparative test for different adhesives and plug configurations in the intended application geometry. When using nominal joint strength for comparison purposes, only values obtained using identical geometries should be compared due to potential differences in induced stress states (shear versus tensile versus mixed mode). The joint strength calculated in this test may differ widely from the true shear or tensile strength (or both) of the adhesive due to mixed-mode stress states and stress concentration effects. (True adhesive shear and tensile strengths are material properties independent of the joint geometry.)

1.5In this test, a longitudinal failure stress is being calculated and reported. This longitudinal failure stress acts as an engineering corollary to the burst pressure value measured from a hydrostatic pressure test, which is a more difficult and complex test procedure. Thus this longitudinal failure stress is recorded as a nominal burst pressure. As a general rule, the absolute magnitude of the nominal burst pressure measured in this EPPO test is different than the absolute magnitude of a burst pressure from a hydrostatic burst pressure test, because the EPPO test does not induce the hoop stresses commonly observed in a hydrostatic pressure test.

1.6The use of this test method at elevated temperatures is limited by the temperature capabilities of the loading fixtures, the gripping method (adhesive, mechanical clamping, etc.), and the furnace temperature limitations.

1.7Values expressed in this test method are in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) and IEEE/ASTM SI 10.

1.8This 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.9This 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.