Predicting the Strength of Bonded Carbon Fibre/Epoxy Composite Joints Available to Purchase

This paper discusses the use of a two-Parameter technique for predicting the failure of adhesively bonded double lap joints. Double lap joints have been prepared and exposed to high humidity and temperature and the change in joint strength has been measured experimentally and results verified with this predictive technique. This technique, which focuses on the computed shear stresses in the adhesive layer of the joint, is rationalised from an energetics and physical viewpoint and is put forward as a tool for predicting the joint failure load by knowing the adhesive's shear yield strength alone.