Bonding dissimilar materials via adhesively bonded spot-welded joints: cohesive zone model technique

Abstract

This study investigates the single-strap joints (adhesively bonded spot-welded) under static loading. Experimental tensile tests are carried out to validate the numerical analyses. For this purpose, the specimens of dissimilar materials were prepared by joining them with a thin layer of a two-component epoxy-based adhesive at one side and spot welding at the other side. Then, they were tested under tensile-loading conditions. The numerical analyses were performed according to the cohesive zone model (CZM) to estimate the failure loads of the joints. The failure loades of the joints with different dimensions were studied to evaluate the conditions causing the cohesive failure of either the adhesive layer or the weld nugget. It is shown that with minor changes in the bondline and weld designs, the joining process of the dissimilar materials will be more feasible.