Effect of silicon carbide nanoparticles on the adhesion strength of steel–epoxy composite joints bonded with acrylic adhesives

Abstract

This paper reports a study on the effect of silicon carbide nanoparticles on the adhesion strength of steel–glass/epoxy composite joints bonded with two-part structural acrylic adhesives. The introduction of nanosilicon carbide in the two-part acrylic adhesive led to a remarkable enhancement in the shear and tensile strength of the composite joints. The shear and tensile strengths of the adhesive joints increased with adding the filler content up to 1.5 wt%, after which decreased with adding more filler content. Also, addition of nanoparticles caused a reduction in the peel strength of the joints. DSC analysis revealed that Tg values of the adhesives rose with increase in the nanofiller content. The equilibrium water contact angle was decreased for adhesives containing nanoparticles. SEM micrographs revealed that addition of nanoparticles altered the fracture morphology from smooth to rough fracture surfaces.