Patent Description:
Conventional peel adhesion test specimens have a substrate and an opaque peel media, such as aluminum, adhered to the substrate with a sealant or adhesive to be tested. The opaque peel media peel is gripped by a mechanical testing machine at one end of the adhesion test specimen and the substrate is gripped by the mechanical testing machine on an opposite end of the adhesion test specimen.

The opaque peel media of the conventional peel adhesion test specimens does not allow for light passage and is therefore not suitable for peel adhesion test specimens that are used for testing adhesives and sealants requiring light to cure the adhesives and sealants. For example, conventional peel media include fabric cloth, aluminum and wire mesh. The fabric cloth and aluminum peel media completely block light transmission and are unusable for peel adhesion test specimens for light-cured adhesives and sealants. The wire mesh peel media may allow some light to penetrate through the wire mesh, but the wire mesh produces shadowing within the light-cured adhesives and sealants that affects the cure time of the light-cured adhesives and sealants. For example, if the light-cured sealants are exposed to light for the predetermined amount of time to cure the sealants under normal curing conditions (i.e. where the light is not being blocked in any way by any opaque material) the light cured adhesives and sealants would not be completely cured due to the shadows produced by the wire mesh. On the other hand, to completely cure the light-cured adhesives and sealants covered by the wire mesh, the cure time of the light-cured adhesives and sealants must be increased. This increase in cure time may affect the adhesion properties of the adhesive and sealants compared to curing under normal curing conditions (i.e. the curing of the adhesives and sealants for testing is not the same as the curing of the adhesives and sealants in a production environment). Further, generally conventional peel adhesion test specimens include a substrate, a first layer of adhesive or sealant, the peel media and a second layer of adhesive or sealant on top of the peel media. The use of the wire mesh peel media allows the first and second layers of adhesive or sealant to bond to each other. The adhesives and sealants also are prone to failing at the wire mesh due to, for example, a decreased adhesive area of the wire mesh, where the wire mesh pulls out of the adhesives and sealants during testing. Wire mesh is also abrasive when being handled by humans during peel-adhesion testing.

<CIT>, according to its abstract, relates to forming a bond with a high peel resistance between a bonding layer and an adjacent barrier layer. A luminescent device and a method for assembly of the luminescent device are described. The luminescent device includes an encapsulation system using flexible transparent barrier film and an ultraviolet (UV) radiation curable (meth)acrylate matrix. The moisture sensitive luminescent material can be, for example, a quantum dot material disposed in a film, or a film construction that includes an OLED structure.

<CIT> according to its abstract, relates to a method and apparatus for testing the bond strength of materials such as a coating on a substrate wherein a stub is placed on the coating with a light curable adhesive therebetween, the stub having a threaded section extending upwardly and being made of light transparent material, or a material that is at least partly transparent, a high intensity light is positioned over the stub and operated to irradiate the adhesive through the stub to cure the adhesive, after which a force is applied to the stub in a direction normal to the coating tending to separate the coating from the substrate and is measured to determine the amount of force required. The apparatus includes a stand off ring positioned around the stub for supporting cylinder housing in spaced relationship to the coating, the housing having a cavity therein formed by inner and outer walls and a lower plate for receiving piston therein retained by reaction plate. Adapter is threadedly connected to stub and extends through hole in the cylinder housing and hole in the piston and threadedly engages the reaction plate so that fluid pressure fed by pressure source to compression chamber compresses piston against the reaction plate and the housing against the stand off ring to apply the force through the adapter and stub tending to separate the coating in the test area from the substrate. The force is measured by gage.

<CIT> according to its abstract, relates to a multilayer optical disc having, as an intermediate layer, a cured product layer of an ultraviolet-curable resin composition containing an urethane (meth)acrylate (A) having one or two (meth)acrylate groups in one molecule obtained by reacting a monofunctional or bifunctional organic isocyanate (a) having a molecular weight of <NUM> or less with a mono(meth)acrylate (b) having a hydroxy group, a (meth)acrylate monomer (B) and a photopolymerization initiator (C), where the content of the (A) component is <NUM> to less than <NUM>% by weight based on the total amount of the (A) component and the (B) component and the rest is (B), and to a resin composition for said cured product layer.

<CIT> according to its abstract, relates to a process for making a barrier assembly.

There is provided a method of preparing specimens for peel-adhesion testing, the method comprising: applying a first predetermined amount of light-curable material to a substrate coupon; placing a first surface of a substantially transparent peel media in contact with the light-curable material disposed on the substrate coupon, where the substantially transparent peel media includes a second surface spaced from the first surface; and exposing the first predetermined amount of light-curable material disposed between the substrate coupon and the first surface to a light source to cure the first predetermined amount of light-curable material, with light from the light source passing through the substantially transparent peel media to the substrate coupon. The method further comprises activating the first surface of the substantially transparent peel media for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material to the substantially transparent peel media and forming the peel panel by separating the substantially transparent peel media and the first predetermined amount of light-curable material cured to the first surface and the substrate coupon into at least two test strips cured to the substrate coupon.

Further, there is provided a method of preparing specimens for peel-adhesion testing, the method comprising applying a first predetermined amount of light-curable material to a substrate coupon; placing a first surface of a substantially transparent peel media in contact with the light-curable material disposed on the substrate coupon, where the substantially transparent peel media includes a second surface spaced from the first surface; applying a second predetermined amount of the light-curable material to the second surface of the substantially transparent peel media; exposing the first predetermined amount of light-curable material disposed between the substrate coupon and the first surface to a light source to cure the first predetermined amount of light-curable material, with light from the light source passing through the substantially transparent peel media to the substrate coupon, exposing the second predetermined amount of light-curable material to a light source to cure the second predetermined amount of light-curable material to the second surface of the substantially transparent peel media; activating the first surface and the second surface of the substantially transparent peel media for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material to the substantially transparent peel media; forming a peel panel by separating the substantially transparent peel media, the first predetermined amount of light-curable material cured to the first surface and the substrate coupon, and the second predetermined amount of light-curable material cured to the second surface into at least two test strips cured to the substrate coupon.

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> the aspects of the present disclosure provide for specimens 500A, 500B for peel-adhesion testing of light-curable materials <NUM>, such as light-curable adhesives and sealants. The specimens 500A, 500B include a substantially transparent peel media <NUM> that allow light to pass through the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> so that the light-curable material <NUM> of the assembled specimen 500A, 500B can be cured. The specimens 500A, 500B described herein provide for testing the light-curable materials <NUM> using conventional test equipment and procedures.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> the specimens 500A, 500B include a substrate coupon <NUM>, at least one layer (e.g. first layer LA1 and second layer LA2) of light-curable material <NUM> and a substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. The substrate coupon provided (<FIG>, Block <NUM>) has a longitudinal length L1 and a lateral width W1 that are suitable for testing the specimen 500A, 500B in a mechanical testing machine <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), such as a tensometer. For exemplary purposes the longitudinal length L1 may be about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) and the lateral width W1 may be about <NUM> inches (<NUM>); but in other aspects the longitudinal length L1 may be more or less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) and the lateral width W1 may be more or less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>). The substrate coupon <NUM> is made of any suitable material for which the adhesion test is to be performed, such as aluminum, titanium, composites, etc. (including any surface treatments of the material). For example, if the light-curable material <NUM> is to be adhered to aluminum then the substrate coupon <NUM> would be made of aluminum, noting that any surface treatments to the aluminum would also be present on the substrate coupon <NUM>.

The light-curable material <NUM> may be any suitable light curable material, such as a light-curable adhesive or light-curable sealant. A first predetermined amount A1 of the light-curable material <NUM> is applied to the substrate coupon <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>). In one aspect, the first predetermined amount A1 of the light-curable material <NUM> is applied directly to the substrate coupon <NUM>; while in other aspects an adhesion promoter AP or a "brushcoat" BC is applied to the substrate coupon <NUM> and the first predetermined amount A1 of the light-curable material <NUM> is applied to the adhesion promoter or "brushcoat". For example, the substrate coupon <NUM> may have a layer of adhesion promoter AP applied (by brushing, spraying or other application method) to the substrate coupon <NUM> before the sealant is applied. The adhesion promotor AP is a material that is typically a brushed-on liquid that is allowed to dry before the sealant is applied. This adhesion promoter AP forms a layer that is very thin compared to a first layer LA1 of light-curable material <NUM> formed by the first predetermined amount A1 of the light-curable material <NUM>. For example, the layer formed by the adhesion promoter AP may have a thickness of about less than <NUM> inches (<NUM>). The adhesion promoter AP is used to allow some light-curable material <NUM> to adhere to the substrate coupon <NUM> or to prevent surface contaminants from reducing adhesive strength of the light-curable material <NUM>. As noted above, the light-curable material <NUM> can also be applied over a layer of "brushcoat" BC. The brushcoat BC is similar to an adhesion promoter except that the brushcoat is a thin layer (having a thickness of about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) or less) of the light-curable material <NUM> that typically requires some cure time. The brushcoat BC is typically used to prevent surface contaminants from reducing the adhesive strength of the light-curable material <NUM> but does not typically allow the light-curable material <NUM> to adhere to surfaces it would otherwise not adhere to.

The first predetermined amount A1 of light-curable material <NUM> includes a first layer LA1 of uncured light curable material <NUM> having any suitable thickness T1 (also referred to herein as the first thickness), where the first layer LA1 extends over substantially the entire lateral width W1 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. The first layer LA1 also extends longitudinally from a first end 520E1 of the substrate coupon <NUM> to a distance X away from the second end 520E2 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. This distance X provides for an exposed area of the substrate coupon <NUM> that is gripped by the mechanical testing machine <NUM> during peel-adhesion testing. In one aspect, the thickness T1 of the first layer LA1 of light-curable material <NUM> is between about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) to about <NUM> inches (<NUM>); but in other aspects the thickness T1 may be less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) or more than about <NUM> inches.

The substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is constructed of any suitable polymeric material that has a substantially uniform transparent composition. The substantially transparent peel media <NUM> has a first end 501E1 and a second end 501E2 separated by a longitudinal length L2. The substantially transparent peel media <NUM> also has a lateral width W2 and includes a first surface 501S1 and a second surface 501S2 spaced from the first surface by a distance T3. The longitudinal length L2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is greater than the longitudinal length L1 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. For example, in one aspect, the longitudinal length L2 may be about <NUM> inches (<NUM>), but in other aspects the longitudinal length L2 may be more or less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) as long as the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> extends past the first end 520E1 of the substrate coupon <NUM> a predetermined distance D (see <FIG>) when the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is folded over itself for peel-adhesion testing. The lateral width W2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is substantially the same as (but could be greater than) the lateral width W1 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. The thickness T3 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) to about <NUM> inches; (<NUM>); but in other aspects, the thickness T3 may be less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) or more than about <NUM> inches.

One or more of the first surface 501S1 and the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is treated to activate the one or more of the first surface 501S1 and the second surface 501S2 for promoting adhesion to the light-curable material <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>). In one aspect, the first surface 501S1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is activated for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material to the first surface 501S1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. In another aspect, the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is activated for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material to the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. In still another aspect, both the first surface 501S1 and the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is activated for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material to both the first surface 501S1 and the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. The first surface 501S1 and/or the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is activated by, one or more of chemical treating, exposure to plasma (e.g. generated from any suitable gas including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, etc.), exposure to corona discharge treatment, exposure to ultra-violet light, and exposure to ozone. The chemical treatment of the first surface 501S1 and/or the second surface 501S2 includes one or more of exposure to acids, bases, and oxidizers. The first surface 501S1 and the second surface 501S2 are cleaned in any suitable manner, such as with a solvent, prior to activation of the first surface 501S1 and/or the second surface 501S2.

The first surface 501S1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is placed in contact with the first layer LA1 of the light-curable material <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>) disposed on the substrate coupon <NUM> while the light-curable material <NUM> is still wet (e.g. before curing). The light-curable material <NUM> disposed between the substrate coupon <NUM> and the first surface 501S1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is exposed to any suitable light source <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>), such as an ultra-violet light, blue light and/or violet light, to cure the light curable material <NUM>. Here the light curable material <NUM> is cured to the first surface 501S1 and the substrate coupon <NUM> with light <NUM> from the light source <NUM> passing through the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. The substantially uniform transparent composition of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> provides for curing the light-curable material <NUM> without any shadowing within the predetermined time period specified for curing the light-curable material <NUM> (when unobstructed by opaque structures) so that the cure time of the light-curable material <NUM> for peel-adhesion testing is substantially the same as the cure time of the light-curable material <NUM> in a manufacturing/production environment (such as when the light-curable material <NUM> is disposed to fill a joint between adjacent structures and is light-cured within the j oint).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in one aspect, a peel panel 500AP of the of the specimen 500A is formed from the substrate coupon <NUM> with the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the first layer LA1 of the light-curable material <NUM> cured to the substrate coupon <NUM>. Here, the light-curable material <NUM> and the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> are separated into at least two test strips TS1, TS2 that are cured to the substrate coupon <NUM> (<FIG>. Block <NUM>). For example, a portion of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the light-curable material <NUM> is removed from the substrate coupon <NUM> in any suitable manner, such as by machining, cutting, scraping, etc. As can be seen in <FIG> a portion of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the light-curable material <NUM> is removed to form two test strips TS1, TS2 where each strip has a width of TSW. In one aspect, the width TSW may be about <NUM> (<NUM>), but in other aspects the width TSW may be more or less than about <NUM> (<NUM>). It is important to note that the light-curable material <NUM> is removed until the substrate coupon <NUM> is exposed to separate test strip TS1 from test strip TS2 so that peeling of test strip TS1 does not affect the peeling of test strip TS2.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, as well as <FIG> and <FIG>, in one aspect, a second predetermined amount A2 of the light-curable material <NUM> is applied to the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>). The second predetermined amount A2 of light-curable material <NUM> includes a second layer LA2 of uncured light curable material <NUM> having any suitable thickness T2 (also referred to herein as the second thickness), where the second layer LA2 extends over substantially the entire lateral width W1 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. The second layer LA2 also extends longitudinally from the first end 520E1 of the substrate coupon <NUM> to the distance X away from the second end 520E2 of the substrate coupon <NUM>. Again, as described above, this distance X provides for an exposed area of the substrate coupon <NUM> that is gripped by the mechanical testing machine <NUM> during peel-adhesion testing. In one aspect, the thickness T2 of the second layer LA2 of light-curable material <NUM> is substantially equal to the thickness T1 of the first layer LA1; but in other aspects the thickness T1 and the thickness T2 are different (e.g. thickness T2 is greater than or smaller than thickness T1). In one aspect, first layer LA1 and second layer LA2 are constructed of the same light curable material <NUM>; by in other aspects, first layer LA1 and second layer LA2 are be constructed of different light curable materials (e.g. the light-curable material of first layer LA1 has different properties than the light curable material of second layer LA2).

The light-curable material disposed on the second surface 501S2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is exposed to any suitable light source <NUM> (<FIG>, Block <NUM>), such as an ultraviolet light, to cure the light curable material <NUM> to the second surface 501S2. In one aspect, the light curable material <NUM> of second layer LA2 and the light curable material <NUM> of first layer LA1 are cured separately. For example, the light-curable material of first layer LA1 is cured prior to the application of the light-curable material of second layer LA2. In other aspects, the light curable material <NUM> of both first layer LA1 and second layer LA2 are cured substantially simultaneously. For example, light <NUM> from light source <NUM> passes through the light-curable material <NUM> of second layer LA2, the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>, and the light-curable material <NUM> of first layer LA1 to the substrate coupon <NUM> so that the light curable material of both first layer LA1 and second layer LA2 are cured substantially simultaneously.

Where the specimen 500B includes the first layer LA1 and the second layer LA2 of the light-curable material <NUM> the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> provides a barrier between the first layer LA1 and the second layer LA2. For example, where the light-curable material <NUM> is moisture sensitive, the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> may block moisture diffusion between the first layer LA1 and the second layer LA2. The substantially transparent peel media <NUM> also provides test results having lower variability (e.g. consistent adhesion between the first and second surfaces 501S1m 501S2 and the light-curable material <NUM>) between peel-adhesion tests than, for example, wire mesh.

In a manner similar to that described above, a peel panel 500BP of the of the specimen 500B is formed from the substrate coupon <NUM> with the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>, the first layer LA1 of the light-curable material <NUM>, and the second layer LA2 of the light-curable material <NUM>, cured to the substrate coupon <NUM>. Here, the light-curable material <NUM> and the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> are separated into the at least two test strips TS1, TS2 that are cured to the substrate coupon <NUM> (<FIG>. Block <NUM>). For example, a portion of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the light-curable material <NUM> is removed from the substrate coupon <NUM> in any suitable manner, such as by machining, cutting, scraping, etc. As can be seen in <FIG> a portion of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the light-curable material <NUM> is removed to form the two test strips TS1, TS2 where each strip has a width of TSW. In one aspect, the width TSW may be about <NUM> (<NUM>), but in other aspects the width TSW may be more or less than about <NUM> (<NUM>). It is important to note that the light-curable material <NUM> is removed until the substrate coupon <NUM> is exposed to separate test strip TS1 from test strip TS2 so that peeling of test strip TS1 does not affect the peeling of test strip TS2.

Referring to <FIG>, not being part of the present invention, the aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to peel panels 500CP formed by specimens 500C that pertain to the reparability of light-curable materials <NUM>. The specimen 500C and the peel panels 500CP formed therefrom are substantially similar to the specimens 500A, 500B and corresponding peel panels 500AP, 500BP described above; however, in this aspect, a third layer LA3 of light-curable material <NUM> is disposed between the first layer LA1 and the substrate coupon <NUM>. This third layer LA3 of light-curable material <NUM> has a thickness T3 between about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) to about <NUM> inches; (<NUM>); in other aspects the thickness T3 may be less than about <NUM> inches (<NUM>) or more than about <NUM> inches. In this aspect the third layer LA3 of light-curable material <NUM> is applied to the substrate coupon <NUM> and is cured. The first layer LA1 of light-curable material and the peel media <NUM> (and the second layer LA2 of the light-curable material if desired) are applied to the third layer LA3 of light-curable material <NUM> in the manner described above with respect to specimens 500A, 500B and the peel panels 500AP, 500BP. The light-curable media <NUM> of the third layer LA3 may be the same or different light-curable media <NUM> of the first layer LA1 and/or the second layer LA2. The specimens 500C and the peel panels 500CP formed therefrom are designed to test the adhesion of the light-curable material <NUM> to itself if the light-curable material <NUM> needs to be repaired or the ability of one light-curable material <NUM> to repair another different light-curable material <NUM> without losing adhesion.

As described above, the specimens 500A and 500B prepared in accordance with the aspects of the present disclosure provide for the testing of light-curable materials <NUM> with conventional peel-adhesion testing equipment in accordance with, for example, conventional peel-adhesion testing standards including Boeing sealant peel adhesion test standard BSS7257 and SAE International sealant testing specification AS5127/<NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> an exemplary test of specimen 500B will be described, noting that testing of specimen 500A is performed in a substantially similar manner. The second end 501E2 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> of test strip TS1 is folded over itself so that the second end 501E2 is adjacent the first end 501E1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>. The second end 501E2 may extend beyond the first end 520E1 of the substrate coupon <NUM> by the distance D to allow for gripping of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> by the testing machine gripper 600G2. The specimen 500B is placed in the mechanical testing machine <NUM> by gripping the substrate coupon <NUM>, at the second end 520E2 in the area defined by the distance X, with the testing machine gripper 600G1. The first end 501E1 of the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is gripped by the testing machine gripper 600G2. The mechanical testing machine <NUM> moves testing machine gripper 600G1 in direction P1 and/or testing machine gripper 600G2 in direction P2 so that the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the substrate coupon <NUM> are pulled in substantially opposite directions (e.g. where the directions are substantially about <NUM>° from each other). The mechanical testing machine <NUM> measures the force required to pull the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> and the substrate coupon <NUM> in opposite directions P1, P2. The percentage of cohesive (e.g. light-curable material <NUM> is on both the substrate coupon <NUM> and the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>) or adhesive (e.g. the light-curable material <NUM> has pulled away from the substrate coupon cleanly and is only on the substantially transparent peel media <NUM>) failure is observed as the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is separated from the substrate coupon <NUM>. It is noted that <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a cohesive failure of the light-curable material <NUM> where the light-curable material <NUM> of layer LA1 remains on both the substrate coupon <NUM> and the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> as the substantially transparent peel media <NUM> is pulled from the substrate coupon <NUM>. The peel-adhesion testing of test strip TS2 of the specimen 500B placed in the mechanical testing machine <NUM> in a manner substantially similar to that described above and tested in any suitable conventional manner.

In the figures, referred to above, solid lines, if any, connecting various elements and/or components may represent mechanical, electrical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, wireless and other couplings and/or combinations thereof. As used herein, "coupled" means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not all relationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in the drawings may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting blocks designating the various elements and/or components represent couplings similar in function and purpose to those represented by solid lines; however, couplings represented by the dashed lines may either be selectively provided or may relate to alternative examples of the present disclosure. Likewise, elements and/or components, if any, represented with dashed lines, indicate alternative examples of the present disclosure. One or more elements shown in solid and/or dashed lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Environmental elements, if any, are represented with dotted lines. Virtual (imaginary) elements may also be shown for clarity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the features illustrated in the figures, may be combined in various ways without the need to include other features described in the figures, other drawing figures, and/or the accompanying disclosure, even though such combination or combinations are not explicitly illustrated herein. Similarly, additional features not limited to the examples presented, may be combined with some or all of the features shown and described herein.

In <FIG>, referred to above, the blocks may represent operations and/or portions thereof and lines connecting the various blocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the operations or portions thereof. Blocks represented by dashed lines indicate alternative operations and/or portions thereof. Dashed lines, if any, connecting the various blocks represent alternative dependencies of the operations or portions thereof. It will be understood that not all dependencies among the various disclosed operations are necessarily represented. <FIG> and the accompanying disclosure describing the operations of the method(s) set forth herein should not be interpreted as necessarily determining a sequence in which the operations are to be performed. Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it is to be understood that the sequence of the operations may be modified when appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in a different order or simultaneously. Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all operations described need be performed.

In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will be described in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Reference herein to "one example" means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The phrase "one example" in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.

Different examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein include a variety of components, features, and functionalities. It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Claim 1:
A method of preparing specimens (500A, 500B, 500C) for peel-adhesion testing, the method comprising:
applying a first predetermined amount of light-curable material (<NUM>) to a substrate coupon (<NUM>);
placing a first surface (501S1) of a substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>) in contact with the light-curable material (<NUM>) disposed on the substrate coupon (<NUM>), where the substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>) includes a second surface (501S2) spaced from the first surface (501S1); and
exposing the first predetermined amount of light-curable material (<NUM>) disposed between the substrate coupon (<NUM>) and the first surface (501S1) to a light source to cure the first predetermined amount of light-curable material (<NUM>), with light from the light source passing through the substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>) to the substrate coupon (<NUM>),
characterized in that the method further comprises
activating a first surface (501S1) of the substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>) for promoting adhesion of the light-curable material (<NUM>) to the substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>);
forming a peel panel by separating the substantially transparent peel media (<NUM>) and the first predetermined amount of light-curable material (<NUM>) cured to the first surface (501S1) and the substrate coupon (<NUM>) into at least two test strips (TS1, TS2) cured to the substrate coupon (<NUM>).