Title: Influence of shape of nano-Al₂O₃ in epoxy adhesive on the critical energy release rate of tapered double cantilever beam steel joints

Authors: Sunil Kumar Gupta

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211004, India

Abstract: The critical energy release rate (G_IC) in mode I of epoxy reinforced with alumina nanoparticles was determined using tapered double cantilever beam joints. Steel was used as adherend material. Spherical and cylindrical (rod) shapes of nano-Al₂O₃ were reinforced in adhesive by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.%. A significant improvement in the G_IC of adhesive was obtained at 1.5 wt.% of spherical nano-Al₂O₃ and 1.0 wt.% of rod nano-Al₂O₃ over the neat epoxy adhesive. Reinforcement of rod shape of alumina nanoparticles offered a slightly better critical energy release rate of steel joints than the spherical shape of nanoparticles. The mechanism for improvement in the G_IC of adhesive containing spherical and rod alumina nanoparticles is discussed.

Keywords: epoxy; critical energy release rate; tapered double cantilever beam; alumina nanoparticles; adhesive; shape of nanoparticles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2023.135887

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2023 Vol.15 No.1, pp.15 - 23

Accepted: 07 Mar 2022
Published online: 09 Jan 2024 *

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