Load capacity of single-lap adhesive joints made of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy sheets after shot peening

Abstract

The goal of the work reported was to determine the influence of selected shot peening parameters on the deflection of the Almen strip and the load capacity of single-lap adhesive joints made of 2-mm-thick aluminium alloy EN AW-2024-T3. Moreover, the research was aimed at checking the possibility of using the Almen strip deflection indicator to predict the load capacity of adhesive joints after shot peening. The analysis was carried out according to Hartley’s PS/DS-P:Ha3 plan. The input factors were the shot peening parameters: treatment time t (60–180 s), ball diameter dk (0.5–1.5 mm) and compressed air pressure p (0.3–0.5 MPa). It has been proved in this work that shot peening treatment of the outer surface of single-lap adhesive joints can be used to strengthen the joint. The maximum increase in the load capacity of the shot peened joints was 33.4%. It was observed that the load capacity of the joints decreases with an increase in the deflection of the Almen strip (in the assumed area of variability of technological parameters). Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the adoption of too intensive treatment, manifested in high values of deflection of the Almen strip, may weaken single-lap adhesive joints.