Tensile Shear Testing of Double Strap Adhesive joints using Cork Particles

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to investigate the strength of Aluminum Alloy (5083) based double strap adhesive joints with and without the inclusion of reinforcements. These adhesive joints are exposed to tensile shear test and the results are compared with and without added reinforcement. Double strap adhesive joints configuration using Araldite 2011 epoxy is used and samples are tested under Universal Testing Machine at atmospheric conditions. Various reinforcements are being used but in this research, Cork powder is used as reinforcements. 80-mesh size cork powder with 10:1 specifications is used. The powder was extracted from Amur tree, which is environmental friendly. The mixture prepared contained Huntsman Araldite 2011 Adhesive and 80-mesh size cork powder. The mixture is prepared carefully in different steps. Firstly, Adhesive and cork powder is mixed thoroughly in mechanical stirrer for 20 minutes and then in sonicator afterwards hardener is added and again mixed for 20 minutes under mechanical stirrer. At the end, specimens are prepared using this mixture. The tensile shear strength is measured using bonded Aluminium Alloy (5083) Double Strap joints, and it is observed that the strength of these joints increases in a specific range of cork powder inclusion. Different trends are seen; above that specific range the strength of these joints decreases. The specimens as well as mixture of adhesive and cork powder is observed under optical microscope hence there structure and type of failure were studied. In this research, following variations are chosen: 1. With and without inclusion of cork powder 2. Cork powder with different ratios. Different Cork Powder ratio chosen was 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% by weight. With each ratio, specimens are prepared and the strength, which they can withstand, is studied. Experimentally it was proven that Aluminium Double strap Adhesive joints Tensile Shear strength increases up to 0.25% then decreases at 0.5% and more at 0.75%.