DEVELOPMENT OF A DURABILITY TEST PROCEDURE FOR ADHESIVELY BONDED COMPOSITE JOINTS

摘要

A significant amount of research has been conducted on the initial bond strength characterizationof adhesively bonded composite joints. Improvements in procedures for evaluating bondstrength durability of these materials could significantly aid in predicting long-term structuralintegrity. This study is aimed at developing a durability test procedure that can be used forevaluating the long-term strength durability of adhesively bonded composite joints. An extensiveliterature review on existing testing procedures for bond strength durability was conducted andconclusions of the advantages and shortcomings of the tests were reached as to their applicabilityto bonded composite systems. A detailed testing procedure including specimen configuration andfixtures to be used is presented. The procedure includes rapidly aging a set of specimens insidean environmental chamber while being submitted to a fully reversed fatigue load. The specimensare subsequently tested for bond strength using a double cantilever beam test configuration.Results will then be compared with baseline specimens that have not been mechanically fatiguedor environmentally aged. The study also includes results from the surface characterization of thespecimens prior to bonding using an electrochemical sensor, contact angle and FTIRmeasurements. Preliminary results of durability are presented and include fracture toughness andmode of failure of the bonds.