Effect of Aging Time at High Temperature on the Shear Strength of Adhesively Bonded Aluminum Composite Foam Joints

ABSTRACT

In this study, the shear strength behavior of adhesively bonded joints, made of aluminum composite foams subjected to high-temperature processes, has been investigated. Aluminum composite foam and solid aluminum blocks were used to form single lap joints and as the binder, a methacrylate-based structural adhesive has been selected. Foam-foam and solid-foam joints were formed and cured at room temperature for 24 hours. After curing process, aging at 200 ^oC was performed on the samples for 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes. The aged samples were subjected to lap shear testing for adhesively bonded metals and the influences of aging duration on joint strength and failure type were investigated.

As a result, lower strengths were obtained in all samples that aged under high temperature compared to non-aged samples. After the application of short-term (15-30 min) aging processes on samples, it is observed that they have joint strength values about 50% of the joint strength of non-aged samples. However, strength values of short-term aged joints (15, 30 min) remain higher than the strength values of the foam materials used in the tests. These results show that methacrylate-based adhesives subjected to short-term thermal loads up to 200 °C can be used in constructions.

KEY WORDS:

• Aluminum composite foam
• adhesively bonded joint
• thermal aging
• structural acrylics
• Automotive
• lap-shear

Acknowledgement

The constructive comments of the reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.

Additional information

Funding

This study supported by TUBITAK Scientific Research Projects Support Programs within project numbers of 108M325;Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu [108M325].