Review on nature-inspired interfaces and mechanical interlocking techniques in additively manufactured adhesively bonded joints

Abstract

This review assesses the impact of nature-inspired surface textures on adhesively bonded joints (ABJs) in additively manufactured (AM) structures, with a focus on recent advancements. As the use of AM increases for fabricating intricate geometries, the acceptance of adhesive joining has gained popularity, especially for overcoming size constraints in 3D printing large-scale components. The effectiveness of adhesively bonded AM structures depends on the joining strength, which in turn influences the overall performance of the structure. The current review discusses the influences of nature-inspired surface textures, such as fish scales (FS), lamellae, spider silk, cactus stems, and tree frog (TF) toe pads. Furthermore, mechanical interlocking designs, such as micro-patterned lap joints and tailored teeth, which can enhance shear strength by improving stress distribution and delaying fracture initiation, have also been briefly discussed. Moreover, the experimental and numerical studies examining the impacts of nature-based surface textures and mechanical interlocking designs on the shear behaviour of ABJs are briefly highlighted. This review aims to provide readers with a current understanding of recent developments in additively manufactured ABJs, offering valuable insights into the design and fabrication of advanced 3D-printed structures while outlining potential directions for future research in the field.