Thomas Carlberger

Influence of Layer Thickness on Cohesive Properties of an Epoxy-Based Adhesive : An Experimental Study

Cohesive laws are determined for different layer thicknesses of an engineering adhesive. The shape of the cohesive law depends on the adhesive layer thickness. Of the two parameters of the cohesive law—the fracture energy and the strength—the fracture energy is more sensitive to thickness variation than the strength. The fracture energy in peel mode (Mode I) increases monotonically as the thickness is increased from 0.1 to about 1.0 mm. At an adhesive thickness of 1.5 mm, the fracture energy is slightly lower than for a 1.0 mm adhesive thickness, indicating a maximum between 1.0 and 1.5 mm. In shear mode (Mode II), the thickness dependence is not as strong, but an increasing trend in fracture energy with increasing adhesive thickness is evident. A slight decrease in strength with increasing adhesive thickness is found in both loading modes.

Explicit FE-Formulation of Interphase Elements for Adhesive Joints

The potential of adhesive bonding to improve the crashworthiness of cars is attracting the automotive industry. Large-scale simulations are time consuming when using the very small finite elements needed to model adhesive joints using conventional techniques. In the present work, a 2D-interphase element formulation is developed and implemented in an explicit FE-code. A simplified joint serves as a test example to compare the interphase element with a straightforward continuum approach. A comparison shows the time-saving potential of the present formulation as compared to the conventional approach. Moreover, the interphase element formulation shows fast convergence and computer efficiency.

High cycle fatigue crack growth in Mode I of adhesive layers: modelling, simulation and experiments

The capability to predict high cycle fatigue properties of adhesive joints is important for cost-efficient and rapid product development in the modern automotive industry. Here, the adaptability of adhesives facilitates green technology through the widening of options of choosing and joining optimal materials. In the present paper a continuum damage mechanics model is developed based on the adhesive layer theory. In this theory, through-thickness averaged variables for the adhesive layer are used to characterise the deformation, damage and local loading on the adhesive layer. In FE-simulations, cohesive elements can thereby be used to model the adhesive layer. This simplifies simulations of large scale complex built-up structures. The model is adapted to experimental results for two very different adhesive systems; one relatively stiff rubber based adhesive and one soft polyurethane based adhesive. The model is able to reproduce the experimental results with good accuracy except for the early stage of crack propagation when the loads are relatively large. The model also predicts a threshold value for fatigue crack growth below which no crack growth occurs. The properties of the model are also compared with the properties of Paris’ law. The relations between the parameters of the continuum damage mechanics law and the parameters of Paris’ law are used to adapt the new law. It also shows that the properties of a joined structure influence the Paris’ law properties of the adhesive layer. Thus, the Paris’ law properties of an adhesive layer are not expected to be transferable to joints with adherends having different mechanical properties.