Experimental analysis of single-lap composite joints with two different adhesives at various conditions

Composite materials have been used in the transport industry in the recent years. The assembly of composite materials has been performed with either adhesive joints or other mechanical fasteners. Adhesive joints are more preferred because of their easy usages, lightness and the stress concentration, which is very important in the design, occurs less than the other type joints. In this study, load-carrying capacity of single-lap joints bonded with different adhesives was found, experimentally. Woven glass fibre-epoxy composites manufactured by using vacuum assisted resin infusion method (VARIM) were used as adherends. FM73 epoxy film adhesive and DP-460 paste adhesive were used as adhesive materials. Several loading conditions, 5, 10 and 15J, that possibly happen in the operation life were considered. The tests were carried out room temperature (25 degrees C), 50 degrees C and 80 degrees C. From the results, it is observed that the load-carrying capacity of single-lap joints significantly varies with adhesive types and temperature.