Mechanical Characterization of Bonded Joints Made of Additive Manufactured Adherends

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical behaviour of bonded joints made of additive manufactured (AM) adherends was experimentally investigated. Two different methods to increase the mechanical strength of the AM joints bonded with an epoxy adhesive were studied: the effect of modifying the geometry of the adherends along the overlap length (with a sinusoid interface) and the influence of two different print orientations (flatwise and edgewise direction) on the load capacity of 3D-printed parts bonded joints. Single lap-joints (SLJs) were tested for each case studied. Results showed an increase in load capacity of the joints by modifying the geometry of the adherends along the overlap length (the load capacity increased by 62% for flatwise and 36% for edgewise print orientation). Modifying the morphology of the 3D-printed adherends surfaces in the overlap region had a more significant influence on the load capacity of the joints compared to modifying the print orientation of the 3D-printed parts.