Investigation of the creep behavior of graphene oxide nanoplatelet-reinforced adhesively bonded joints

In this paper, the effect of adding graphene oxide nano-platelets (GONPs) into the adhesive layer was investigated on the creep behavior of adhesively bonded joints. The neat and GONP-reinforced adhesive joints were manufactured and tested under creep loading with different stress and temperature levels. 0.1?wt% GONPs revealed the highest improvement on the adhesive joint creep behavior amongst the studied weight percentages. Furthermore, the effect of GONPs on the creep behavior of adhesive joints was more significant at higher temperatures. It was found that adding 0.1?wt% of GONPs into the adhesive layer imposed reductions of 21%, 31% and 34% in the elastic shear strains and reductions of 24%, 31% and 37% in the creep shear strains of SLJs under testing temperatures of 30, 40 and 50?°C, respectively. The Burgers rheological model was employed for simulating the creep behavior of the neat and GONP-reinforced adhesive joints. The Burgers model parameters were obtained as functions of testing temperature, creep shear stress and GONP weight percentage using a response surface methodology. Reasonable agreement was obtained between the modeled and experimental creep behaviors of the adhesive joints.     

Analysis of the nonlinear creep behavior of concrete/FRP-bonded assemblies

This paper investigates the creep behavior of adhesively bonded concrete/fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) joints, through experimental and modeling approaches. The first part proposes a methodology for predicting the long-term creep response of the bulk epoxy adhesive; such a procedure consists of (1) performing short-term tensile creep experiments at various temperatures and stress levels, (2) building the creep compliance master curves according to the time–temperature superposition principle in order to assess the long-term evolution for each stress level, and (3) developing a rheological model whose parameters are identified by fitting the previous master curves. In our case, it was found that master curves (and, consequently, parameters of the rheological model) are dependent on the applied stress level, highlighting the nonlinear creep behavior of the bulk epoxy adhesive. Therefore, evolution laws of the model parameters were established to account for this stress dependence. The second part focuses on the creep response of the concrete/FRP assembly in the framework of a double lap joint shear test configuration. Experiments showed that creep of the adhesive layer leads to a progressive evolution of the strain profile along the lap joint, after only one month of sustained load at 30% of the ultimate strength. Besides, a finite element approach involving the abovementioned rheological model was used to predict the nonlinear creep behavior of the bonded assembly. It confirmed that creep modifies the stress distribution along the lap joint, especially the stress value at the loaded end, and leads to a slight increase in the effective load transfer length. This result is of paramount interest since the transfer length is a key parameter in the design of FRP-bonded strengthening systems. Moreover, instantaneous and long-term calculated strain profiles were found in fair agreement with experimental data, validating the modeling approach.     

Effect of creep on the mode II residual fracture energy of adhesives

Viscous flow that often occurs in adhesive materials leads to a permanent deformation when adhesives are subjected to creep loading. Creep loading has a significant influence on the strength of bonded structures. Due to the viscous behavior, the fracture energy also may change with time for joints that experience creep loading in service. In this work the effects of two creep parameters (creep load and time) on the residual mode II fracture energy of an adhesive was investigated using end notched flexure (ENF) specimens. To achieve this, ENF samples were subjected to different creep loading levels at different creep times followed by quasi static tests to obtain the residual shear fracture energy of the adhesive. Experimental results showed that pre-creep loading of the bonded structures can significantly improve the fracture energy and the static strength of the joints.     

Effect of Temperature on the Quasi-static Strength and Fatigue Resistance of Bonded Composite Double Lap Joints

Fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRP's) are often used to reduce the weight of a structure. Traditionally the composite parts are bolted together; however, increased weight savings can often be achieved by adhesive bonding or co-curing the parts. The reason that these methods are often not used for structural applications is due to the lack of trusted design methods and concerns about long-term performance. The authors have attempted to address these issues by studying the effects of fatigue loading, test environment and pre-conditioning on bonded composite joints. Previous work centered on the lap-strap joint which was representative of the long-overlap joints common in aerospace structures. However, it was recognised that in some applications short-overlap joints will be used and these joints might behave quite differently. In this work, double-lap joints were tested both quasi-statically and in fatigue across the temperature range experienced by a jet aircraft. Two variants on the double-lap joint sample were used for the testing, one with multidirectional (MD) CFRP adherends and the other with unidirectional (UD) CFRP adherends. Finite element analysis was used to analyse stresses in the joints. It was seen that as temperature increased both the quasi-static strength and fatigue resistance decreased. The MD joints were stronger at low temperatures and the UD joints stronger at high temperatures. It was proposed that this was because at low temperature the strength was determined by the peak stresses in the joints, whereas, at high temperatures, strength is controlled by creep of the joints which is determined by the minimum stresses in the joint. This argument was supported by the stress analysis.     

Effect of Temperature on the Quasi-static Strength and Fatigue Resistance of Bonded Composite Double Lap Joints

Fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRP's) are often used to reduce the weight of a structure. Traditionally the composite parts are bolted together; however, increased weight savings can often be achieved by adhesive bonding or co-curing the parts. The reason that these methods are often not used for structural applications is due to the lack of trusted design methods and concerns about long-term performance. The authors have attempted to address these issues by studying the effects of fatigue loading, test environment and pre-conditioning on bonded composite joints. Previous work centered on the lap-strap joint which was representative of the long-overlap joints common in aerospace structures. However, it was recognised that in some applications short-overlap joints will be used and these joints might behave quite differently. In this work, double-lap joints were tested both quasi-statically and in fatigue across the temperature range experienced by a jet aircraft. Two variants on the double-lap joint sample were used for the testing, one with multidirectional (MD) CFRP adherends and the other with unidirectional (UD) CFRP adherends. Finite element analysis was used to analyse stresses in the joints. It was seen that as temperature increased both the quasi-static strength and fatigue resistance decreased. The MD joints were stronger at low temperatures and the UD joints stronger at high temperatures. It was proposed that this was because at low temperature the strength was determined by the peak stresses in the joints, whereas, at high temperatures, strength is controlled by creep of the joints which is determined by the minimum stresses in the joint. This argument was supported by the stress analysis.     

A Thermo-Mechanical Study of Some Epoxy Adhesives Subjected to Combined Dynamic and Static Stresses

The object of the present study was to investigate the effect of superimposed dynamic and static stresses on mechanical and thermal properties of some epoxy adhesives. It was found that combinations of shear creep and torsional oscillations, applied simultaneously to adhesive joints at temperatures within the glassy range of the adhesive, led to strengthening of the joints in shear and to an increase in the glass transition temperature of the adhesive. Similar loading stresses applied at temperatures close to the T_g of the adhesive, led to opposite effects on the above mentioned properties of the joints. The width of the glassy-rubbery transition of the adhesives increased, in the whole range of temperatures used in this study and for all epoxy compositions, as a result of subjecting the joints to superimposed dynamic and static stresses. The broadening of the glass transition was interpreted as a result of the stiffening of polymer network during the combined stressing experiments. A linear relationship was found between the area of endothermal peaks in the first DSC scan of specimens subjected prior to test to superimposed dynamic and static stresses at temperatures below T_g, and the shear strength of the joints. In agreement with this observation and with literature data, a linear relationship was revealed also between the glass transition temperature of the resins (measured in the first DSC scan) and the shear strength of the joints. Based on experimental observations and on some literature information, it was suggested that the strengthening of the joint, as well as the changes in thermal properties of the adhesives, are mainly due to physical processes, such as short-range orientation of network chains and an increase in intermolecular interaction between highly polar sites of the network. The possibility that superimposed stressing led to changes in chemical crosslinking was discussed but it seems that no such reactions occurred.     

Possibilities of strength prediction of adhesive joints of polymers by master curve method

In the present work it is shown that the strength, depending on temperature and strain, and durability, depending on temperature and static load, of adhesive joints of polymers with adhesive of elastomer type can be predicted from master curves, drawn according to the principle of temperature–time analogy. Shift factors, determined by the Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation with universal values of constants, have been used to draw the master curves. It allowed to find relations between reference temperature and glass transition temperature of the adhesive. Their existence can be explained on the basis of free volume theory. Referring to the analogous influence of temperature and the part of the plasticizer inserted into the adhesive, on the strength of adhesive joints the existence of temperature–concentration analogy has been determined on the phenomenological level. Nomograms have been suggested for the calculation of strength and durability values from the master curves. Their application is convenient for repeated usage of master curves.     

A design of experiments assessment of moisture content in uncured adhesive on static strength of adhesive-bonded galvanized SAE1006 steel

As part of a cooperative research program to develop and implement crash-resistant toughened adhesives targeted for future vehicles, this paper summarizes a study of the influence of pre-exposure of uncured adhesive and steel sheets in a humid and elevated temperature environment on quasi-static strength of bonded hot dipped galvanized SAE1006 steel joints.In this study, we use a DOE (design-of-experiment) program called DEXPERT to design the experiment and to analyze the effects of exposure temperature, exposure time, curing temperature and curing time on joint strength of adhesive-bonded galvanized SAE1006 steel. Prior to adhesive curing, the adhesive and galvanized steel coupons were pre-exposed to various relative humidity levels and temperatures. The experimental results were then analyzed by DEXPERT and the relative contributions of each factor on variance in joint strength were calculated. It was found that curing temperature is the most influential factor affecting the strength of adhesive-bonded galvanized SAE1006 steel joints. The curing of a joint at 180 °C can increase the robustness of the process and provides the greatest strength regardless of the variation of other factors. The joint strength curing at 150 °C shows a strong sensitivity to the curing time, while the adhesive cannot cure at 130 °C at all under all conditions. It has also been found that the pre-exposure of adhesive and steel for an hour can slightly decrease the joint strength at high temperature and humidity. Therefore, the effect of long time exposure of the uncured adhesive and steel still needs to be further investigated.     

The Effect of Temperature on the Strength of Adhesively-Bonded Composite-Aluminium Joints

Different materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion, which is a measure of the change in length for a given change in temperature. When different materials are combined structurally, as in a bonded joint, a temperature change leads to stresses being set up. These stresses are present even in an unloaded joint which has been cured at say 150°C and cooled to room temperature. Further stresses result from operations at even lower temperatures.

In addition to temperature-induced stresses, account also has to be taken of changes in adhesive properties. Low temperatures cause the adhesive to become more brittle (reduced strain to failure), while high temperatures cause the adhesive to become more ductile, but make it less strong and more liable to creep.

Theoretical predictions are made of the strength of a series of aluminium/CFRP joints using three different adhesives at 20°C and 55°C. Various failure criteria are used to show good correlation with experimental results.     

The Effect of Temperature on the Strength of Adhesively-Bonded Composite-Aluminium Joints

Different materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion, which is a measure of the change in length for a given change in temperature. When different materials are combined structurally, as in a bonded joint, a temperature change leads to stresses being set up. These stresses are present even in an unloaded joint which has been cured at say 150°C and cooled to room temperature. Further stresses result from operations at even lower temperatures.

In addition to temperature-induced stresses, account also has to be taken of changes in adhesive properties. Low temperatures cause the adhesive to become more brittle (reduced strain to failure), while high temperatures cause the adhesive to become more ductile, but make it less strong and more liable to creep.

Theoretical predictions are made of the strength of a series of aluminium/CFRP joints using three different adhesives at 20°C and 55°C. Various failure criteria are used to show good correlation with experimental results.     

Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on creep behavior of adhesively bonded joints subjected to elevated temperatures

Polymeric materials are prone to creep loading. This paper is aimed to study the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on creep behavior of adhesively bonded joints. Neat and MWCNTs-reinforced adhesively bonded joints were manufactured and tested under creep loading at elevated temperatures. Two MWCNT weight percentages of 0.1 and 0.3 were used for reinforcing the single lap joints (SLJs) and the joints were tested at different temperature and load levels. The results showed that 0.1 wt% of MWCNTs resulted maximum improvements in creep behavior of adhesive joints. Adding 0.1 wt% of MWCNTs into the adhesive layer caused maximum reductions of 57%, 60% and 47% in the steady-state creep rates of the joints tested at 30, 40 and 50°C, respectively. Furthermore, 0.1 wt% of MWCNTs resulted maximum reductions of 29%, 33% and 37% in the creep strains corresponding to a specific creep loading time and maximum reductions of 23%, 45% and 49% in the elastic strains corresponding to the time at which creep loading started.     

Long Term Strength of Structural Adhesive Joints

The long term static strength of adhesive joints is analyzed in terms of a modified Prot method and sustained load tests. Data from the failure times under different loading rates are used to predict the static stress that an adhesive joint will withstand for an infinite time, i.e., the endurance limit. Despite theoretical shortcomings, the method is found to give reasonable estimates of the endurance limit as determined by standard sustained load tests. The ratio of the short term lap shear strength to the endurance limit is found to be independent of adhesive modulus, temperature, and sample geometry. For engineering calculations on lap shear structural adhesive joints under a static load (at 23°C, 50% R.H.), the endurance limit may be assumed to be equal to 0.25 of the short term strength.     

Long Term Strength of Structural Adhesive Joints

The long term static strength of adhesive joints is analyzed in terms of a modified Prot method and sustained load tests. Data from the failure times under different loading rates are used to predict the static stress that an adhesive joint will withstand for an infinite time, i.e., the endurance limit. Despite theoretical shortcomings, the method is found to give reasonable estimates of the endurance limit as determined by standard sustained load tests. The ratio of the short term lap shear strength to the endurance limit is found to be independent of adhesive modulus, temperature, and sample geometry. For engineering calculations on lap shear structural adhesive joints under a static load (at 23°C, 50% R.H.), the endurance limit may be assumed to be equal to 0.25 of the short term strength.     

Experimental Investigation of Epoxy Bonded Polymethylmethacrylate Joints

This paper presents an experimental investigation into various aspects of epoxy-bonded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and PMMA-to-aluminium joints. The effects of adhesive thickness, overlap area, surface roughness, and environmental exposure on the joint strength were studied. Results indicated that the joint strength was not directly proportional to the overlap area, while sanding had a positive effect on the joint strength. A negative effect was observed when adhesive thickness was increased. The fatigue behaviour of adhesively-bonded joints under dynamic loading was found to be independent of frequency, for the range of values tested; however, it was dependent on the test temperature with greater reduction in fatigue life observed in PMMA-to-aluminium joints at higher temperature. Empirical equations from which the fatigue life of joints can be predicted were obtained by regression analysis. Intermittent fatigue testing of the joints was also performed. The epoxy adhesive tested proved to be a satisfactory choice for outdoor exposure. The rate of degradation of the adhesive was slow with the adherend itself degrading at a faster rate than the adhesive or the bondline.     

Experimental Investigation of Epoxy Bonded Polymethylmethacrylate Joints

This paper presents an experimental investigation into various aspects of epoxy-bonded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and PMMA-to-aluminium joints. The effects of adhesive thickness, overlap area, surface roughness, and environmental exposure on the joint strength were studied. Results indicated that the joint strength was not directly proportional to the overlap area, while sanding had a positive effect on the joint strength. A negative effect was observed when adhesive thickness was increased. The fatigue behaviour of adhesively-bonded joints under dynamic loading was found to be independent of frequency, for the range of values tested; however, it was dependent on the test temperature with greater reduction in fatigue life observed in PMMA-to-aluminium joints at higher temperature. Empirical equations from which the fatigue life of joints can be predicted were obtained by regression analysis. Intermittent fatigue testing of the joints was also performed. The epoxy adhesive tested proved to be a satisfactory choice for outdoor exposure. The rate of degradation of the adhesive was slow with the adherend itself degrading at a faster rate than the adhesive or the bondline.     

The influence of hygrothermal ageing on creep behavior of nanocomposite adhesive joints containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide nanoplatelets

The effect of hygrothermal ageing on the creep behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene oxide nanoplatelet (GONP)-reinforced adhesive joints was investigated. The neat, MWCNT and GONP-reinforced adhesive single lap joints were manufactured and immersed in hot deionized water with three different temperatures for 24 h and then tested under creep loading. The results showed that the elastic and creep shear strain values of the neat adhesive joints increased by 14% and 25%, respectively, when the water temperature was increased from 30 to 50 °C. It was found out that 0.1 wt% MWCNTs had the maximum reinforcing effect against the creep behavior of adhesive joints pre-aged in hot water by 56% and 33% reductions in the elastic and creep strain values of the nanocomposite adhesive joints compared to the neat adhesive joints. Whereas, GONPs caused the maximum reductions of 45% and 20% in the elastic and creep strains of the nanocomposite adhesive joints compared to the neat joints. Furthermore, the Burgers rheological model was employed for simulating the creep response of adhesive joints. Semi-empirical models were proposed for the elastic and creep strains and the Burgers model parameters as functions of the water temperature and MWCNT/GONP weight percentage using the response surface methodology.     

Creep behavior of nylon-6 thermoplastic composites

A systematic investigation of the creep behavior of nylon-6 thermoplastic composites reinforced with continuous carbon fibers was conducted by a strain gauge method. The creep strains of carbon fiber/nylon-6 composites were measured at various stress conditions and temperatures. The relationship between the creep strain, strain rate, creep compliance and stress condition, time, and temperature were established. The experimental creep strain data were shifted to a reference temperature to form a master curve by using the time-temperature superposition principle. The master curve can be used to predict the creep behavior of the carbon fiber/nylon-6 composites over long times. The effect of fiber orientation on the creep behavior was also measured and reported.     

Shear creep behaviour of elastomeric adhesives

The shear creep behaviour of elastomeric adhesives has been investigated at various temperatures, loading stresses and adhesive thicknesses. Three adhesive types were included in the study: two polysulphides, one silicone and one polyurethane elastomer. The creep compliance of the two polysulphide adhesives could be described by an Arrhenius-type relationship incorporating time, temperature and stress. The silicone and polyurethane adhesives, on the other hand, showed an initial creep response followed by a long period of zero creep over the ranges of temperature and load studied.     

胶接接头在静态负载条件下的蠕变和松弛行为

Modern high performance adhesives are designed to offer an optimized balance of elasticity,toughness and plastic deformation capacity for the individual fields of application in e.g. the building and construction or transportation and vehicle industry. The long-term life prediction for adhesive joints based on laboratory tests requiring only days,weeks,or months is still a demanding challenge. Testing in practice is carried out with the intention of accelerating time dependent aging effects that may occur in a bonded joint during its service time. Initial strength values of bonded joints,such as shear or peel properties can often be obtained from the adhesive manufacturers or retrieved from literature. They are useful to compare different adhesives and to demonstrate the effect of parameters such as bond line thickness,overlap length or curing conditions,and,in some cases,the surface state. On the other hand only few data are available describing the mechanical long-term properties of adhesives related to creep and relaxation under static load conditions. Due to the nature of the polymer network of organic adhesives their viscoelastic-plastic deformation behavior is strongly time-and temperature dependent. The objective of this paper is to illustrate effective methods for investigating and predicting the creep and relaxation properties of adhesively bonded joints in the long-term region and for creating basic data for the design and engineering with adhesives.     

Creep response of thixotropic ambient temperature cure adhesives measured by DMTA in static tension and shear

The technology for bonding in rods into timber structures for repair, reinforcement and forming primary connections is now well established. An ambient temperature cure adhesive is required for bonding on site and for overhead application thixotropic (shear thinning) characteristics are essential. At the same time bonded-in components may experience service temperatures of 50 °C or more, especially in roof spaces. It is commonly supposed that an adhesive with a glass transition temperature (Tg) below the in-service temperature will suffer from potential creep unless it is tightly cross-linked. In this paper the creep properties of three epoxy-based, thixotropic adhesives are investigated, which are less heavily cross-linked and possess Tg values between 30 and 60 °C. The adhesives are subjected to a creep load in tension within a Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyser used in static mode with a step-wise increase in temperature and a range of stress levels. A unique laminated shear specimen has been developed comprising an adhesive layer sandwiched by two thin wood veneers so that the adhesive layer can be stressed in shear. The results demonstrate that in the temperature range between Tg and Tg+15 °C the thixotropic adhesives creep to a limit, behaving as classic viscoelastic polymers and above Tg+15 °C they behave like rubbers with no creep. At high stresses and temperatures the adhesives eventually fail by rupture of the adhesive bonds. In conclusion, thixotropic adhesives are seen to possess a unique combination of physical and chemical properties, which enable them to function above Tg under creep load.