Effects of a novel tungsten alloy (W-Mn-Cu-Sn) particles, produced through powder metallurgy, on the mechanical and failure characterization of adhesively single-lap bonded GFRP joints

The impact of novel tungsten-manganese-copper-tin (W-Mn-Cu-Sn) alloy nanoparticles on the shear strength of adhesively bonded single lap joints (SLJs) using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) substrates was examined in this study. The W-Mn-Cu-Sn alloy particles were produced via mechanical alloying (MA). MA is a process that involves repeated cycles of cold welding, fracturing, and re-welding of powder particles, producing fine, homogeneous materials with improved properties. This technique plays a vital role in uniformly dispersing particles within the tungsten matrix, thereby enhancing the alloy's mechanical properties. The mean diameters of each sample were determined from statistical analysis of 33 measurements using ImageJ software, resulting in an average diameter of 245 nm. Furthermore, the particle size distribution predominantly ranged from 121 to 439 nm. The crystallographic characteristics of the powders were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (X'Pert PRO, Malvern PANalytical) with CuKα radiation (λ = 0.15406 nm). In all samples, the most prominent diffraction peak corresponds to the W phase and the nanoparticles were dispersed in Araldite 2014 using a combination of probe sonication and high-speed mechanical mixing. Single-lap shear tests were applied to SLJs prepared with 1.0 %, 3.0 %, 5.0 %, and 7.0 % tungsten alloy (WAs) additive ratios by weight. The results show that incorporating W-Mn-Cu-Sn nanoparticles enhances the adhesive's mechanical properties, as evidenced by increased shear strength and toughness. The maximum shear strength was observed in specimens with 5.0 wt% W-Mn-Cu-Sn nanoparticles, which exhibited a 21.7 % improvement compared to the neat adhesive. The failure modes of the joints changed from mixed-mode failure to cohesive failure with increasing nanoparticle content, indicating improved adhesion and load transfer between the adhesive and the GFRP substrates. The SEM images indicate that the fracture surfaces of tungsten alloy (WAs) modified specimens exhibited ductile failure modes. Due to the formation of plastic voids and mechanisms for crack deviation, the fracture toughness and shear strength of the modified adhesive have improved. These findings highlight the potential of W-Mn-Cu-Sn nanoparticles as effective reinforcements to enhance the performance of adhesively bonded joints (ABJs) in polymer applications.