The Effect of Geometry on Joint Strength in Adhesively Bonded Joints with the Same Adhesive Area

Abstract

Studies to increase the joint strength of adhesively bonded joints used in the aerospace and automotive sectors are met with interest in the field of engineering. Many different methods are used to increase the strength of the bonded joint, and one of these methods is to change the joint geometry. This study aims to increase the joint strength by changing the geometry of the joint with the same adhesive area condition. In the study, the DP460 structural adhesive was used as the adhesive, the AA2024-T3 aluminum alloy was used as the adherend, and the One Step-Lap Joint (OSLJ), Double-Strap Joint (DSJ), and Stepped Double-Strap Joint (SDSJ) was used as the joint types. The joint strengths of the joints obtained by using different step lengths and different patch lengths for these three types of joints with the same adhesive area were investigated experimentally and numerically. Firstly, the strengths of the SLJ type obtained by using four different step lengths and the DSJ type obtained by using patches of four different lengths were investigated. In the light of these investigations, the mechanical properties of the joints obtained by changing the step length and patch length in the SDSJ type, a new joint type with the same adhesive area, were obtained. As a result, compared to the OSLJ type with the same adhesive area, the joint strength of the DSJ type increases by approximately 45% to 67%. In addition, while the strength of the new type of joint (SDSJ) obtained in the presented study increases between 7% and 35% according to the DSJ type, it increases between 56% and 126% according to the OSLJ type. These increases in the joint strength vary according to the bonding area. Additionally, in the presented study, experimental data were compared with numerical analysis, and it was observed that the data were quite consistent with each other.