Abstract
In this study, the influence of sandblasting process parameters as a surface preparation method on the strength of single-lap adhesive joints of EN AW 2024 T3 aerospace aluminium alloy sheets was determined. Eleven sets of sandblasting parameters were used, which were determined according to a determined experimental plan. The variable factors in the sandblasting process were pressure, nozzle distance, and workpiece displacement speed. The sand jet incidence angle was constant. Garnet 80 E+ was the abrasive material that was used. The joints were made using an epoxy adhesive composition of Epidian 5 epoxy resin and a PAC curing agent. The influence of the surface preparation method on the surface roughness and contact angle to determine the surface free energy was evaluated. The shear strength of the adhesive joints was also determined, which finally allowed the evaluation of the applied surface treatment variants. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis, which indicated that the highest shear strength of the adhesive joints was obtained for samples whose surfaces were treated by sandblasting at parameter configurations in which the pressure was 5–6 × 105 Pa; the distance between the nozzle and the sandblasted surface should not be greater than 97 mm, and the speed at which the workpiece moves in relation to the nozzle should not be greater than 75 mm/min.
Highlights
One of the most developed methods of joining materials that has been in recent times is adhesive bonding, the key advantage of which is the possibility of joining elements made of materials that are characterized by various mechanical, physical, and chemical properties [1,2,3,4]
An EN AW 2024 T3 aluminium alloy was used. This material is characterized by lower corrosion resistance and poorer weldability than other aluminium alloys, but it contains a high amount of copper and has very high strength—compared to AW2014, for example—and high fatigue strength
From the results obtained here, it can be seen that the highest shear strength was obtained for the samples whose surfaces were prepared according to the 7th set of sandblasting parameters
Summary
One of the most developed methods of joining materials that has been in recent times is adhesive bonding, the key advantage of which is the possibility of joining elements made of materials that are characterized by various mechanical, physical, and chemical properties [1,2,3,4]. The bonding technology contributes to the design and the manufacture of lightweight yet strong structures with specific properties [6] Because of this versatility, this technology is used in a wide range of industries, such as the aerospace, automotive and rail, and civil engineering industries as well as other industrial sectors where an effective high strength-to-weight ratio is important for the development of the innovative structures [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. An important share is recorded in the construction of self-supporting vehicle bodies [13,24] These adhesives are used to seal internal combustion engines, differentials, and transmissions and can be used to reinforce thrust-bearing contact surfaces. Structural adhesive bonding is widely used in the construction of aircraft airframes [25,26,27]
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