The Effect of Nanoparticles in Single Lap Joints Studied by Numerical Analyses

The present study concerns with the finite element investigation of balanced aluminium single lap joints subjected to tensile loading. Epoxy adhesives were used for bonding having different nanoparticles rate in the epoxy resin (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and to 2 wt. %, respectively). Two-dimensional (2D) finite element analysis has been employed to determine the peeling stress, von Mises stress, and the shear strain distribution across the midplane of the joints. The results mainly prove that the nanoparticles rate in the adhesive material directly affects the joint tensile strength. Nanocomposite adhesives present a higher failure load than that of neat adhesives. Furthermore, nanocomposite adhesive with 0.5 wt. % of nanoparticles generated strengths (shear and peeling strengths) more than neat adhesives, after which decreased by further addition of the nanoparticles.