Abstract
The globally growing market for polymer composites and their increasing use within aircraft structures has necessitated reliable bonding of composite laminates to prevent structural failure. However, knowledge behind the interaction between curing process parameters and the failure of polymer composite bonded joints is not keeping pace with the market. A novel nonlinear correlation analysis has been employed and applied to experimental data, to attentively quantify the effect of curing parameters on the failure of bonded composite assemblies. The materials (adherends and adhesive) and the bonding processes were selected from those used in assembly of composite aircraft structures.
Highlights
The inevitable process-linked structural performance in adhesively bonded polymer composite structures necessitates an urgent need for reliable, controllable and measurable bonding in composite joint assembly and manufacturing. This need is intensified by the fact that no method of measuring properties prior to installation exist to account for variabilities caused by process control during adhesive bonding, and no non-destructive inspection is available to ensure bond integrity [1,2]
Correct bonding and integration require knowledge-based methodology, including structural performance modelling, that quantifies the effects of each bonding process parameter on the structural response
Existing models for predicting the response of composites have been developed with no or little contribution of such process-linked properties [3]. Those models assume that the curing process has fully been accomplished, or slight effects from incomplete curing. This paper addresses this missing gap and explains the interaction between the curing process in a thermoset polymer bond and its achieved mechanical properties
Summary
The inevitable process-linked structural performance in adhesively bonded polymer composite structures necessitates an urgent need for reliable, controllable and measurable bonding in composite joint assembly and manufacturing This need is intensified by the fact that no method of measuring properties prior to installation exist to account for variabilities caused by process control during adhesive bonding, and no non-destructive inspection is available to ensure bond integrity [1,2]. Due to such process-linked performance, certified procedures may not produce reliable bonded assemblies with adequate levels of continuing airworthiness for aircraft structures. The model is recommended to designers and researchers in academia and industry for understanding and quantification of the effect of process-induced deficiencies in composite assemblies
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