Abstract
In the development of vehicle structures, the proper selection of adhesives to bond the steels is important for safety of operation. In this study, toughened epoxy was tested for the ability to bond steels developed for low temperature use. Lap shear bonded DP600 and DP780 steel joints were prepared and tested in open air at ambient temperature and inside an environmental chamber at −40°C respectively using a split Hopkinson tensile bar machine. The impact properties of bulk adhesive at −40°C were also measured. It was found that the exposure of joints to a −40°C environment had little influence on impact strength and energy absorption. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces indicates differences in fracture paths and interfacial regions for the −40°C exposed specimens. Changes in the interphase region caused by low temperature exposure may contribute to an increased susceptibility of the adhesive joint to bond degradation.
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