Time–Temperature Superposition Principle: A Tool for Predicting Long-Term Behaviour

Materials that help to reduce weight need to be introduced into the ship, in order to reduce consumption and thus CO2 emissions. One of the possible ways to achieve this is the implementation of adhesive joints. However, in order for adhesive to replace welding, studies are needed to give confidence to both shipyards and classification societies. Therefore, this paper will present the Time-Temperature Superposition Principle (TTS) as a tool for predicting long-term performance. This method is based on the response of material properties to a change in temperature. The function of the TTS will be to shift the curves of the data obtained for each temperature towards a reference temperature, constructing the so-called “master curve”. In this way, the application of TTS allows to know the long-term properties of the material reducing considerably the required test times.