Abstract
Abstract
Influence of alumina nanoparticles in the epoxy adhesive on the load-carrying capacity of single lap joints was investigated using the finite element method. Nanocomposite adhesives were modelled by reinforcing randomly distributed spherical shaped (at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.%) and rod-shaped (at 0.5 and 1.0 wt.%) alumina nanoparticles in the epoxy. 2D finite element was used to discretise the domain of single lap joint comprising nanocomposite adhesives. The load-carrying capacity of single lap joints bonded with nanocomposite adhesive comprising 1.5 wt.% of nanospheres and 1.0 wt.% of nanorods was 58% and 51% more than that of joints with neat adhesive, respectively. The distribution of von-Mises stress, shear stress and peel stress at adherend/adhesive layer interface along the overlap length of the joint was analysed.