Fracture in Composite/Aluminium Joints of Variable Adhesive Properties

Hello everyone,

One of the papers from the 'past' (but still quite actual...I think) and maybe of some interest to various communities. 

Abstract:

A system in which one adherend had two types of surface treatment was tested using a wedge test.

Simple polishing and polishing with subsequent sandblasting were the

treatments used, with a distinct straight line, perpendicular to the sample edges,

separating the two. Despite the clear-cut difference in surface treatment, smooth

transitions in crack growth speed were noted. This can be explained by the

existence of a curved crack front, encroaching gradually on one surface-treated

zone, whilst remaining partially on the other. Crack length, a, vs. time, t, curves

were exploited to obtain fracture energy vs. crack speed. The multi-valued nature

of the relation can also be explained by a non-rectilinear fracture front. The

method is proposed for reproducible comparison of surface treatments. 

Regards,

MKB 

Official link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218460902997232