Experimental and numerical analysis on the adhesive T-joint using high temperature adhesive

The adhesive T-joint is most widely used in automotive, aircraft and fluidization bed system. In order to determine the effect of the temperature and adhesive thickness on the joint strength, a series of a tensile test and numerical analysis were conducted in this study. The T-joint specimens were fabricated using 304 stainless steel plate (SS 304), 304 stainless steel perforated plate and high-temperature epoxy adhesive. The series of adhesive T-joints with different adhesive thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm) were tested in tension loading at room temperature (RT) and elevated temperature (55 degrees C, 75 degrees C, 100 degrees C and 125 degrees C). Additionally, the T-joint structure was modelled, simulated and analysed for stress assessment to predict the strength of adhesive T-joint at the various temperature and adhesive thicknesses. The average failure stress decreases with the increasing of the temperature. Nevertheless, the failure stress of the T-joint decreased with the increasing of the adhesive thickness. The finite element prediction for T-joint strength is in a good agreement with the experimental failure stress results.