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.     

Fatigue Behaviour of Adhesive Bonded Joints

This paper presents experimental results of the fatigue behaviour of adhesive bonded plastic-to-plastic joints and metal-to-plastic joints under both dynamic and static loading. The fatigue life of the joints was found to be independent of the test frequencies and humidity for the range of values tested, but dependent on the mean stress level and test temperature with greater reduction in fatigue life observed in metal-to-plastic joints at higher temperature. Empirical equations from which the fatigue life of joints could be predicted were obtained by regression analysis.     

Static and fatigue behavior of adhesive joints in SMC-SMC composites

This paper discusses the static and fatigue behavior of adhesively bonded single lap joints in SMC-SMC composites. Effects of lap length and adhesive thickness on the static and fatigue strength of SMC-SMC adhesive joints are studied. Effects of SMC surface preparation and test speed on the joint performance are evaluated. Finally, the effect of water exposure on the joint durability is also investigated. Results show that the static behavior of adhesive joints in SMC-SMC composites is significantly influenced by the lap length and adhesive thickness. With an increase in lap length from 12.7 mm to 38.1 mm, the joint failure load increases by 37%. The joint failure load also increases with the adhesive thickness, but it reaches a maximum at an adhesive thickness of 0.33 mm and then decreases. However, lap length and adhesive thickness have negligible effect on the ratio of fatigue strength to static strength. The fatigue strength at 10⁶ cycles is approximately 50% to 54% of the static strength for various adhesive thicknesses and lap lengths investigated in this study. Adhesive failure, fiber tear or combination of these two failure modes are observed during both static and fatigue tests.     

Torque Transmission Capabilities of Bonded Polygonal Lap Joints for Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites

Although carbon fiber epoxy composite materials have excellent properties for structures, the joint in composite materials often reduces the efficiency of the composite structure because the joint is often the weakest area in the composite structure.

In this paper, the effects of the adhesive thickness and the adherend surface roughness on the static and fatigue strengths of adhesively-bonded tubular polygonal lap joints have been investigated by experimental methods. The dependencies of the static and fatigue strengths on the stacking sequences of the composite adherends were observed.

From the experimental investigations, it was found that the fatigue strength of the circular adhesively-bounded joints was quite dependent on the surface roughness of the adherends and that polygonal adhesively-bonded joints had better fatigue strength characteristics than circular adhesively-bonded joints.     

Torque Transmission Capabilities of Bonded Polygonal Lap Joints for Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites

Although carbon fiber epoxy composite materials have excellent properties for structures, the joint in composite materials often reduces the efficiency of the composite structure because the joint is often the weakest area in the composite structure.

In this paper, the effects of the adhesive thickness and the adherend surface roughness on the static and fatigue strengths of adhesively-bonded tubular polygonal lap joints have been investigated by experimental methods. The dependencies of the static and fatigue strengths on the stacking sequences of the composite adherends were observed.

From the experimental investigations, it was found that the fatigue strength of the circular adhesively-bounded joints was quite dependent on the surface roughness of the adherends and that polygonal adhesively-bonded joints had better fatigue strength characteristics than circular adhesively-bonded joints.     

The behaviour of single lap joints under bending loading

Four-point bend tests were performed on single lap joints with hard steel adherends and a structural epoxy adhesive. The effect of the overlap, the adherend thickness and the adhesive thickness was studied. It was found that the length of the overlap has no significant effect on the strength of the joints. This is because the load transfer is occurring in a very localised area around the edges of the overlap, being the failure governed by peel mechanisms. The thickness of the adherends strongly affects the strength of the joints. The thicker the adherend, the stronger is the joint. The experimental results are compared with a finite element model and reinforce the fact that the failure takes place due to local strains at the ends of the overlap in tension. An analytical model is also given to predict in a simple but effective way the joint strength and its dependence on the adherend thickness.     

Effect of temperature on the joint strength of a silyl-modified polymer-based adhesive

Temperature is a very important factor that must be fully considered in the study on the adhesive joint strength. In this paper, a silyl-modified polymer-based adhesive ISR 70-08 which is widely used in engineering was studied. Dog-bone specimens were fabricated and tested at ?40°C, room temperature (RT), and 90°C. Results show a decrease in the main mechanical properties with increasing temperature. Butt joints (BJs), single-lap joints (SLJs), and Scarf joints (SJs) were fabricated and tested at different temperatures. A quadratic polynomial expression was an ideal choice to express the joint strength as a function of temperature which was obtained using the least-squares method. Temperature combinations of ?40°C, 0°C, and 90°C were obtained to study the effect of temperature on the joint strength more easily for this adhesive. A three-dimensional surface, consisting of temperature, adhesive angle, and joint strength was presented to facilitate the application of bonding structures in engineering     

Progressive failure and experimental study of adhesively bonded composite single-lap joints subjected to axial tensile loads

Experimental tests and finite element method (FEM) simulation were implemented to investigate T700/TDE86 composite laminate single-lap joints with different adhesive overlap areas and adherend laminate thickness. Three-dimensional finite element models of the joints having various overlap experimental parameters have been established. The damage initiation and progressive evolution of the laminates were predicted based on Hashin criterion and continuum damage mechanics. The delamination of the laminates and the failure of the adhesive were simulated by cohesive zone model. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results, proving the applicability of FEM. Damage contours and stress distribution analysis of the joints show that the failure modes of single-lap joints are related to various adhesive areas and adherend thickness. The minimum strength of the lap with defective adhesive layer was obtained, but the influence of the adhesive with defect zone on lap strength was not decisive. Moreover, the adhesive with spew-fillets can enhance the lap strength of joint. The shear and normal stress concentrations are severe at the ends of single-lap joints, and are the initiation of the failure. Analysis of the stress distribution of SL-2-0.2-P/D/S joints indicates that the maximum normal and shear stresses of the adhesive layer emerge on the overlap ends along the adhesive length. However, for the SL-2-0.2-D joint, the maximum normal stress emerges at the adjacent middle position of the defect zone along the adhesive width; for the SL-2-0.2-S joint, the maximum normal stress and shear stress emerge on both edges along the adhesive width.     

The determination of dynamic strength of single lap joints using the split Hopkinson pressure bar

The current investigation focuses on the determination of the strength of adhesive-bonded single lap joints under impact with the use of a split Hopkinson pressure bar (Kolsky bar). For this, experiments were conducted at different loading rates, for identical metallic adherends bonded by a two-part epoxy adhesive. Four different types of specimens were adopted, all with a given adhesive thickness. The length of overlap and the width of the adherends were varied resulting in four different areas of overlap. It was found that the average strength, as calculated from the readings obtained from a Kolsky bar, increases with decrease of overlap area. An elastodynamic model for the shear strain of the adhesive-bonded single lap joint was developed to investigate this drastic effect of overlap area on the average strength of the joint. The mathematical model was found to be dependent on both the material properties of the adherend and adhesive, as well as the structural properties of the joint, viz. the width and the thickness of the adhesive layer. A combined experimental-numerical technique was used to predict the strain distribution over the length of the bond in the adhesive. It was found that the edges of the adhesive were subjected to maximum strain, while a large part of the adhesive was found to exhibit zero shear strain. The effect of the lap length and the width was studied individually. The cumulative effect of averaging the strain over the entire overlap area, was decreased shear strain for an increased overlap area. The Kolsky bar was identified to give conservative values of the shear strength of an adhesive bonded lap joint under high rates of loading.     

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.     

Experimental study of adhesively bonded CFRP joints subjected to tensile loads

The tensile performance of adhesively bonded CFRP joints has been investigated experimentally. In this study, overlap length, adherend thickness, adherend width and scarf angle were chosen as design parameters. All load–displacement curves are linear, except that the thicker single-lap joints behave slightly nonlinearity due to the bending effect caused by eccentric loading. The lap shear strength is not directly proportional to overlap length, adherend thickness, adherend width and scarf angle for the brittle adhesive studied in the paper. The major failure mode includes adhesive shear failure and adherend delamination failure, sometimes accompanying with some fiber pull-out. Finally, the lap shear strength of three different lap types with similar bonding area (W=25 mm, L=10 mm, θ=5.71°) and adherend thickness (0.96 mm) was analyzed. It is found that the double-lap joint has the highest ultimate failure load. However, when considering the lap region weight, the scarf-lap joint is the most efficient.     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of single-lap adhesive joints under impact loads

This paper deals with the stress wave propagation and stress distribution in single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact tensile loads with small strain rate. The stress wave propagations and stress distributions in single-lap joints have been analyzed using an elastic three-dimensional finite-element method (DYNA3D). An impact load was applied to the single-lap adhesive joint by dropping a weight. One end of one of the adherends in the single-lap adhesive joint was fixed and the other adherend to which a bar was connected was impacted by the weight. The effects of Young's modulus of the adherends, the overlap length, the adhesive thickness and the adherend thickness on the stress wave propagations and stress distributions at the interfaces have been examined. It was found that the maximum stress occurred near the edge of the interface and that it increased with an increase of Young's modulus of the adherends. It was also seen that the maximum stress increased as the overlap length, the adhesive thickness and the adherend thickness decreased. In addition, strain response of single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact tensile loads was measured using strain gauges. Fairly good agreements were observed between the numerical and experimental results.     

Strain rate dependence of adhesive joints for the automotive industry at low and high temperatures

In this study the impact and quasi-static mechanical behaviour of single lap joints (SLJ) using a new crash resistant epoxy adhesive has been characterized as a function of temperature. Single lap adhesive joints were tested using a drop weight impact machine (impact tests) and using a universal test machine. Induction heating and nitrogen gas cooling was used in order to achieve a homogeneous distribution of temperature along the overlap of + 80 °C and ?20 °C, respectively. Adherends made of mild steel, similar to the steel used in automobile construction, were chosen in order to study the yielding effect on the strength of the SLJ. Results showed that at room temperature (RT) and low temperature (LT), failure was dictated by the adherends due to the high strength of the adhesive. At high temperature (HT), a decrease was found in the maximum load and energy absorbed by the joint due to the reduced strength of the adhesive at this temperature. The results were successfully modelled using the commercially available finite element software Abaqus^®. Good correlation was found between experimental and numerical results, which allows the reduction of experimental testing.     

Strength and Failure Mode of Adhesively-Bonded Joints at Different Loading Rates

The time-dependent behaviour of adhesively-bonded double-lap joints has been tested. The adhesive used was FM300. Three different materials were used for the adherend, namely, carbon fibre reinforced composite with quasi-isotropic lay-up, aluminium and steel. The specimens were pulled at different speeds and the strength of the joints and failure patterns were recorded and analysed. The effect of different ratios of overlap length vs. adherend thickness was tested. The results indicate that in the room temperature-dry environment for reasonably long joints, the effect of pulling speed on the strength of the joints is negligible. In the hot-wet environment this effect becomes significant for the composite specimens tested.     

Functionally graded adhesive joints by graded mixing of nanoparticles

The main objective of the present study was to use a functionally modified adhesive in order to have an adhesive with properties that vary gradually along the overlap, allowing a uniform stress distribution along the overlap. This allows for a stronger and more efficient adhesive joint. It is possible to work with much smaller areas, reducing considerably the weight of the structure and obtaining more reliable joints. The adhesive stiffness would vary along the overlap, being maximum in the middle and minimum at the ends of the overlap. The processes tested in this work were dielectric heating using a domestic microwave oven and conventional oven heating. Different amounts of carbon black were used and functionally dispersed along the bondline length in order to obtain a functionally graded joint. The functionally graded joints were found to have a higher joint strength compared to the cases where the carbon black was dispersed uniformly along the overlap or where the adhesive was used without carbon black. An analytical model was used to assist with the prediction and the assessment of the possible effectiveness of a graded joint concept.     

Shear behaviour of structural silicone adhesively bonded steel-glass orthogonal lap joints

This paper outlines an experimental study on the shear behaviour of structural silicone adhesively bonded steel-glass orthogonal lap joints. In the combination of steel plate and glass panel to form a hybrid structural glazing system, bonded joints with structural silicones can provide certain flexibility which relieves stress peaks at critical points of glass panel. The cohesive failure and its related fracture pattern of test joints with varied geometries of adhesives are examined experimentally. It is shown that the presence of two failure modes as discrete voids and macro cracks is closely related to the adhesive thickness. The effects of geometric parameters of adhesives on the joint shear strength are examined. It is demonstrated that the joint shear strengths are increased with increased individual overlap length, reduced adhesive thickness or increased adhesive width while the shear deformation corresponding to maximum shear force is mostly influenced by adhesive thickness. Mechanical contributions for those effects are analyzed accordingly. Finally, an analytical formula allowing for the equilibrium of strain and force on the adhesive and adherend is proposed for the analysis of shear strength. It is demonstrated that calculated normalized shear force ratios predicted by proposed formula agree well with those from experimental results.     

Effect of material,geometry, surface treatment and environment on the shear strength of single lap joints

The single lap joint is the most studied type of adhesive joint in the literature. However, the joint strength prediction of such joints is still a controversial issue as it involves a lot of factors that are difficult to quantify such as the overlap length, the yielding of the adherend, the plasticity of the adhesive and the bondline thickness. The most complicated case is that where the adhesive is brittle and the overlap long. In any case, there is still a problem that is even more difficult to take into account which is the durability. There is a lack of experimental data and design criteria when the joint is subjected to high, low or variable temperature and/or humidity. The objective of this work is to carry out and quantify the various variables affecting the strength of single lap joints in long term, especially the effect of the surface preparation. The Taguchi method is used to decrease the number of experimental tests. The effect of material, geometry, surface treatment and environment is studied and it is shown that the main effect is that of the overlap length.In order to quantify the influence of the adhesive (toughness and thickness), the adherend (yield strength and thickness), the overlap, the test speed, the surface preparation and durability on the lap shear strength, the experimental design technique of Taguchi was used in the present study. An experimental matrix of 18 tests was designed and each test was repeated three times. The influence of the eight previously-mentioned variables could be assessed using the statistical software Statview^®. In this paper a simple predictive equation is proposed for the design of single lap joints.     

Effect of Temperature on the Joints Strength of an Automotive Polyurethane Adhesive

In this paper, the performance of an automotive polyurethane adhesive was studied through adhesive joints tests. Butt joints and single lap joints were fabricated and tested at seven temperature measuring points (TMPs). It is shown that both the tensile strength and lap shear strength decrease with the increasing of temperature. Quadratic polynomial expression obtained by the least square method can represent the tensile and lap shear strength as a function of temperature very well. ?40°C, 0°C, and 90°C were selected as the most ideal TMPs for this adhesive through the comparison of the residual sums of squares of 35 fitting curves with different combination of TMPs. Scarf joints with adhesive angles of 60° and 30° were fabricated and tested at ?40°C, 0°C, and 90°C. It also showed a decrease in joint strength with the increasing temperature. Joint strength as a function of adhesive angle is presented. It was found to closely follow a linear behaviour. A three-dimensional surface, consisting of temperature, adhesive angle, and joint strength, is presented finally to facilitate the design of automotive bonding structures.     

CRH3高速动车组空调通风口胶接结构设计

通过理论分析和计算确定了动车组空调通风口部件与铝合金车体胶接用胶粘剂的强度指标。介绍了胶粘剂的选择及胶接结构的设计原则,考查了搭接长度、搭接宽度、胶层厚度和被粘接材料厚度等对胶接件粘接强度的影响。结果表明:车体与空调通风口部件的胶接接头选择受剪切应力作用的搭接接头较适宜,并且搭接接头的承载能力随搭接长度或宽度增加呈先快速上升后趋于稳定态势;当搭接长度为10 mm、胶层厚度为6 mm、铝合金板厚度为5 mm且常温湿固化型单组分PU(聚氨酯)胶粘剂的剪切强度超过0.23 MPa时,搭接接头的承载能力相对最大。