With the increasing use of composite materials, their adhesive joints are affected by different environmental factors. To investigate the tensile performance of composite material adhesive structures in complex environments, this paper conducted tensile strength tests on four different types of structural adhesives in different environments, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze the microstructure of the adhesive failure interface and have studied the failure mechanism under different environmental conditions. Finally, the finite element method (FEM) is used to explain the adhesive failure process in typical environments. The results showed that compared to the room temperature dry (RTD) environment, the tensile performance of the adhesive did not decrease in the elevated temperature wet (ETW) environment but significantly decreased in immersion environment and oil immersed environment. The SEM and FEM results respectively indicated that the bubbles and pores that appear under different environmental erosion were the main reasons for the decrease in the tensile strength of the adhesive. The failure starting point of the adhesive in typical environments was located the center of the adhesive.
RamalhoLDCSánchez-ArceIJCampilhoRDSG, et al.Strength prediction and stress analysis of adhesively bonded composite joints using meshless methods. Procedia Manuf2020; 51: 904–911.
2.
YangKYangLGongP, et al.Experiment and analysis of mechanical properties of carbon fiber composite laminates under impact compression. E-Polymers2022; 22(1): 309–317.
3.
ZhaoSWYangDHGuoR, et al.Research on bond behavior of CFRP-concrete interface under quasi-static cyclic loading. Structures2023; 58: 105532.
4.
JiangFShanHYPanRH. Experimental study on secondary bonding of thin layer carbon fiber twill fabric laminates. Aerospace Engineering Progress2023; 14(5): 101–108.
5.
MaZYZhangYJZhangQ. Optimization design of composite wing structure for tail seat electric aircraft. J Natl Univ Def Technol2023; 45(6): 20–31.
6.
ZhangJYBuMFZhiSQ. Review of the application of composite materials in aircraft engine fan blades. Fiber Composite Materials2023; 40(4): 68–70.
YangKFengHLiP, et al.The effects of environments and adhesive layer thickness on the failure modes of composite material bonded joints. Sci Rep2024; 14: 22776.
9.
YangKLiuZYangY, et al.Mechanical properties test and failure analysis of composite foam sandwich structure in ramp-down zone. Mech Compos Mater2024; 60(5): 1027–1040.
10.
JuXXiaoJWangD, et al.Research on the manufacturing quality of co-cured hat-stiffened composite structure. Materials2021; 14(11): 2747.
11.
AkpinarSAkpinarIA. Effect of nanostructured reinforcement of adhesive on thermal cycling performance of a single-lap joint with composite adherends. Compos B Eng2019; 175: 107106.
12.
KanarBAkpinarSAvinc AkpinarI, et al.The fracture behaviour of nanostructure added adhesives under ambient temperature and thermal cyclic conditions. Theor Appl Fract Mech2018; 97: 120–130.
13.
YunusETMuratO. An investigation on the mechanical behavior of mixed adhesively bonded composite joints subjected to transverse pre-impact following by axial post-tensile. Mater Today Commun2023; 35: 105590.
14.
MaoZGHouYLLiC. The influence of lap length and layup method on the bonding performance and damage behavior of CFRP composite laminates. J Compos Mater2020; 37(1): 121–131.
15.
LinMYZhangTWangH. The effect of artificial defects in polytetrafluoroethylene mesh on the mechanical properties of composite bonding structures. J Mater Sci Eng2024; 42(2): 193–199.
16.
MachadoJMMarquesEASBarbosaAQ, et al.Influence of hygrothermal aging on the quasi-static and impact behavior of single lap joints using CFRP and aluminum substrates. Mech Adv Mater Struct2021; 28(13): 1377–1388.
17.
BritoCBGSalesRCMDonadonMV. Effects of temperature and moisture on the fracture behaviour of composite adhesive joints. Int J Adhesion Adhes2020; 100: 102607.
18.
LiJLiYBXiangY, et al.Effect of hygrothermal-mechanical exposure on the residual strength of adhesively bonded joints. Int J Adhesion Adhes2020; 100: 102616.
19.
TanWNaJZhouZ. Effect of service temperature on mechanical properties of adhesive joints after hygrothermal aging. Polymers2021; 13(21): 3741.
20.
NiuRYangYLinY, et al.Failure study of BFRP joints with two epoxy adhesives under hygrothermal coupling. Polymers2023; 15(19): 3949.
21.
Vargas-AristaBCruz-GonzálezCELeón-MéndezIA. Mechanical and fracture behavior of dissimilar adhesive joints, dual phase steel/AA6061-T6. Extreme temperature. Materi Eng and Perform2023; 32: 11275–11284.
22.
QinGFZhengLYMiPW, et al.Influence of single or multi-factor coupling of temperature, humidity and load on the aging failure of adhesively bonded CFRP / aluminum alloy composite joints for automobile applications. Int J Adhesion Adhes2023; 123: 103345.
23.
Svetlik-HaleySKarbhariVM. Humidity and immersion based hygrothermal aging of pultruded GFRP composites: moisture uptake and diffusion. J Compos Mater2025; 59(8): 991–1011.
24.
KortaJMlyniecAUhlT. Experimental and numerical study on the effect of humidity temperature cycling on structural multi-material adhesive joints. Composites Part B Eng2015; 79: 621–630.
25.
GaiDYaoZPXuH, et al.Mechanical and failure analysis of “outer single lap” adhesive joints of carbon fiber reinforced plastics under hygrothermal conditions. Int J Adhesion Adhes2024; 134: 103793.
26.
PedroGSaraLAJuanaA, et al.Effect of moisture and temperature on thermal and mechanical properties of structural polyurethane adhesive joints. Compos Struct2020; 247: 112443.
27.
WangJGaoJXJiangJX, et al.Predicting degradation of composite-titanium adhesively bonded joints exposed to seawater environment. Eng Struct2023; 297: 116993.
28.
OvariTRTothTKatonaG, et al.Epoxy coatings doped with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane-modified silica nanoparticles for anti-corrosion protection of zinc. Coatings2023; 13(11): 1844.
29.
TaeyoonKSoo-HyunKHyeJK, et al.Effect of the surface modification of silica nanoparticles on the viscosity and mechanical properties of silica/epoxy nanocomposites. Compos Interfaces2022; 29: 1573–1590.
30.
YaseminKKürşatG. Improvement of structural, thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites and bonded joints exposed to water environment by incorporating boron nanoparticles. Int J Adhesion Adhes2022; 116: 103141.
31.
Avinc AkpinarI. A study on the effects of electrochemical oxidation and silane modification applied to fibers in short carbon fiber-reinforced structural adhesives and adhesive joints. Int J Adhesion Adhes2025; 140: 104020.
32.
AkmSRDonaldWR. Cure cycle optimization of an inorganic polymer matrix material for high temperature fiber reinforced composites. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2016; 85: 84–93.
33.
VaidyaUKGautamARSHosurM, et al.Experimental–numerical studies of transverse impact response of adhesively bonded lap joints in composite structures. Int J Adhesion Adhes2006; 26(3): 184–198.
