Numerical simulation of debonding of a composite-to-metal adhesive joint subjected to centrifugal load

Abstract

The centrifuge test is considered as a promising alternative to the traditional, usually time-consuming mechanical tests of adhesive joints mainly due to its limited testing time and multi-sample testing capability. The present paper reports the first attempt to simulate the centrifugal loading of adhesive joints. To this end, a composite-to-metal adhesive joint was modeled and analyzed using the LS-Dyna explicit finite element software. Debonding was simulated using the cohesive zone modeling approach. The model was capable to predict the adhesion strength of the joint. Using the model, the effects of computing parameters (mesh density, loading rate) and geometrical parameters (adhesive thickness and diameter) on the adhesion strength were evaluated. The predicted adhesion strength values of the joints agreed very well with experimentally measured values obtained from a previous work of the authors. More specifically, simulating smaller adhesive diameters led to strength reduction, so did the alternation of the standard film thickness. The model can be potentially used to optimize the centrifuge test of adhesive joints and for virtual testing.