A Study on Normal Stress Distribution and Failure of Adhesively Bonded Joint under Cleavage Loading

Abstract

The normal stress distributed in the mid-bondline of the adhesively bonded joint under cleavage loading was investigated using the elastic finite element method (FEM) and the strain gauges method to reveal the real normal stresses distribution in the metal-to-metal joint while the load was increased. The results from the finite element analysis (FEA) showed that there is always a peak stress of the normal stress Sy in the mid-bondline occurred at a point close to the loading pin axis. When the load was increased from 0.5 kN to 3 kN, there was also a point located at about x = 16mm along the length of specimen where there is without any normal stress at all. The result of stress Sy from the FEA is nearly the same as that one obtained from the strain gauges method. It was also found that there was a evidently hardness change in the bonded zone of the adherend made from structural steel or pure copper, which can be used to explain the procedure of the joint and discuss the distribution model of the normal stress Sy in the joint under the cleavage loading.