Experimental and numerical analysis on the adhesive T-joint using high temperature adhesive

The adhesive T-joint is most widely used in automotive, aircraft and fluidization bed system. In order to determine the effect of the temperature and adhesive thickness on the joint strength, a series of a tensile test and numerical analysis were conducted in this study. The T-joint specimens were fabricated using 304 stainless steel plate (SS 304), 304 stainless steel perforated plate and high-temperature epoxy adhesive. The series of adhesive T-joints with different adhesive thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm) were tested in tension loading at room temperature (RT) and elevated temperature (55 °C, 75 °C, 100 °C and 125 °C). Additionally, the T-joint structure was modelled, simulated and analysed for stress assessment to predict the strength of adhesive T-joint at the various temperature and adhesive thicknesses. The average failure stress decreases with the increasing of the temperature. Nevertheless, the failure stress of the T-joint decreased with the increasing of the adhesive thickness. The finite element prediction for T-joint strength is in a good agreement with the experimental failure stress results. (paper)