Failure of a Ductile Adhesive Layer Constrained by Hard Adherends

Abstract

The evaluation of a fracture from a thin layer constrained by a hard material is important in relation to the structural integrity of adhesive joints and composite materials. It has been reported that the fracture toughness of a crack in a ductile adhesive joint depends on the bond thickness, but the mechanism has not yet been elucidated clearly. In this study, the J-integral and the near-tip stress of a crack in an adhesive joint are investigated. It is determined that a decrease of the bond thickness increases the stress ahead of a crack rip, which results in the decrease of fracture toughness. [S0094-4289(00)01201-9]