Prediction for Final Fracture Strength of Adhesively Bonded Joints of Metals

Abstract

The fracture mode and the final fracture strength of single lap joints and scarf joints (including butt joints) having adherends of the same metal and dissimilar metals were investigated theoretically and experimentally. Carbon steel and aluminum alloy were used as the adherends and epoxy resin as the adhesive. The stress distributions in the joints were calculated by using the finite element method. The initial failure strength of the joints was predicted by applying the strength criterion to the calculated stress distributions. Prediction of the final fracture strength of the joints was also made possible by using the strength criterion in consideration of the fracture mode of the corresponding joints and by introducing an idea of the “damage length”.