Control of failure of lap shear epoxy adhesive joint through CNTs
Abstract
In this research investigation, we explore the attributes of lap shear connections, employing epoxy adhesive and a carbon nanotube-epoxy nanocomposite on a mild steel substrate. We offer an intricate portrayal of a variety of factors, encompassing the surface characteristics of mild steel, the width of the adhesive bonding layer (thickness), the affinity in term of wettability between epoxy resin as adhesive and mild steel substrate surface, and the impact of carbon nanotube (CNT) incorporation within the epoxy resin. These variables collectively exert a significant influence on sustainability of lap shear joints under stress. Our empirical findings underscore a noteworthy enhancement in the lap shear joint's strength, attributed to the even dispersion of CNTs within the polymer matrix, with consequent modifications in the surface of substrate. Furthermore, these alterations induce a shift in the failure mode exhibited by lap shear connections. Remarkably, the introduction of 0.5 weight percent of CNTs into the epoxy adhesive emerges as the most substantial contributor to the augmentation in lap shear strength