Mechanical tests. The resistance-welded specimens were tested in a single lap shear configuration based on the ASTM D1002 standard [120] with a cross-head displacement speed of 1.3 mm/minute. Composite end tabs of 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm x 3.3 mm were adhesively-bonded to the adherends for accurate alignment of the specimens in the top and bottom grips. After removing the specimens from their hygrothermal conditioning, they were superficially dried with absorbing paper, weighted and the tabs were bonded with a cyanoacrylate liquid adhesive (Super Liquid Pro, LePage). The specimens were tested within one hour of being taken out of the environmental chamber in order to avoid any significant moisture loss. The specimens were tested using a universal testing machine (Alliance RF/200, MTS) with a 10 kN load cell. The maximum recorded load was used to calculate the apparent LSS of the specimens. Specimens were tested either at room temperature or at a controlled temperature using an environmental chamber installed on the universal test frame.
