Strength evaluation of asymmetric single lap joints (3rd report, Effects of the mechanical properties of adherends)

Abstract

The deformation and strength of single lap joints having adherends of dissimilar materials were investigated analytically and experimentally. The strain distributions of the joints of carbon steel and aluminum alloy boded with epoxy resin under tensile shear loads were analyzed by the finite element method. The analytical strain distributions coincided approximately with the experimental results. The analytical results of the strength were less than the experimental strength, because the analytical results predicted the initial cracking loads which were different from the final fracture loads. The Young's modulus of adherends and the adhesive lap length had much effect on the joint strength. The strength of joints of carbon steel and aluminum alloy had intermediate values between the strength of joints having carbon steel adherends and aluminum alloy adherends. The curing process of the adhesive resin improved the joint strength overcoming the difference of thermal properties in the adherends.