Experimental fatigue characterization and modeling of a bi-component structural acrylic adhesive: Application to single-lap joints

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to predict the fatigue behavior of bonded joints made of a bi-component structural acrylic adhesive. The approach considered is based on a characterization of the fatigue properties of the bulk adhesive combined with a finite element modeling of the bonded joint to provide the heterogeneous stress field within the adhesive. The identification of the fatigue model is conducted with experimental bulk adhesive tests under two loadings (tensile–compression and tensile–tensile) in order to account for the effect of the mean stress. A modified Crossland criterion, in the limited life time domain, is used to predict the fatigue life of the bonded joint assembly. The numerical fatigue life determined with this approach is compared to the experimental fatigue life of the assembly. A good correlation is found between the numerical model and the experimental results.