Mechanical Properties of Nanoclay Reinforced Epoxy Adhesive Bonded Joints Made with Composite Materials

This study was intended to characterize the mechanical properties of nanoclay filled epoxy adhesive single lap joints under both static (tensile) and dynamic (impact) loadings. The nanoclay contents were 1, 3 and 5 wt% of epoxy resin (Araldite LY5052). The nanoclay particles were dispersed in the epoxy resin by a stirring device and then the mixture of resin and clay particles was subjected to sonication using an ultrasonicator. Glass/epoxy composite adherends were fabricated and used to study the behavior of epoxy adhesive bonded joints. The composite adherend surfaces were prepared according to ASTM D2093. According to ASTM D3165, the properties of the reinforced adhesive in shear were obtained by tension loading of single lap joint specimens. Also, the joints were subjected to in-plane and out-of-plane Charpy impact tests. The results showed that the adhesive joints with 1% nanoclay particles had the maximum strength in tensile loading and the highest values of Charpy impact energy were found for the joints with adhesives filled with 3% nanoclay particles.