Investigation of an Optimum Concentration for Nano-Silica Used as an Adhesive Bonding Strength Enhancer

In this paper, the effect of silica nanoparticles (nano-silica) on the bonding strength of reinforced adhesive joints was experimentally studied in five concentrations. A two-part epoxy-based adhesive (Araldite 2015) was used to bond the adherends as well as silica nanoparticles for strengthening purposes. Nano-silica was added into the adhesive by 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 wt.%. Some adhesive joints with and without nanoparticles were tested under uniaxial loading to obtain their bonding strength. The results showed that the change in the bonding strength is a function of nanoparticles concentration. Furthermore, it was concluded that the addition of silica nanoparticles has a suitable effect on the joint strength at an optimum point, in which the joint strength takes its maximum value, and a further increase in the nanoparticles weight fraction causes the joint strength to decrease.