The Carbon Nanotubes Effect into Single-lap Joint Failure Modes and Load Capacity: a Macromechanical Analysis

This study investigates the influence of the adhesive (epoxy resin) thickness and the dispersions of non-functionalized carbon based nanostructures (carbon nanotubes - CNT) on mechanical properties of single-lap bonded joints. To achieve this goal, three CNT concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% m/m); and three different bondline thicknesses (0.05 mm, 0.15 mm and 0.40 mm) were evaluated. The mechanical properties were measured using the apparent shear tensile test, based on ASTM D5868. The results showed that the addition of 1.0 wt% CNTs improved the interface strength, leading to an increase on delaminated areas in failure region up to 55.36% and also improving the peak force up to 13.85%. Decrease in adhesive thickness from 0.40 mm to 0.05 mm promoted a stress redistribution inside adhesive layer improving the peak force up to 13.91%. CNT seems to promote changes in failure modes, light fiber tear (LFT) failure significantly increases up to 45.96%, indicating that interface strength between adhesive and adherent was improved.