Mechanical and Non-Destructive Study of CFRP Adhesive Bonds Subjected to Pre-Bond Thermal Treatment and De-Icing Fluid Contamination

by Paweł H. Malinowski 1,*,†,Konstantinos I. Tserpes 2,†,Romain Ecault 3,† andWiesław M. Ostachowicz 1

1 Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-231 Gdansk, Poland

2 Laboratory of Technology & Strength of Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece

3 Airbus Operations S.A.S., 31060 Toulouse, France

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Aerospace 2018, 5(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace5020036

Summary:

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures are often bonded using adhesives.

This published work investigates the differences between destructive and non-destructive adhesion analysis techniques in the adhesion of composite materials. To discern the quality of the adhesion bonds, the authors employ three different analytical methods: 1) mechanical testing using the LUMiFrac, 2) ultrasound, and 3) electromechanical impedance (EMI) measurements. The carbon fiber reinforced polymer surfaces were altered by a combination of different temperature exposures and de-icing fluid treatments.

The results showed that mechanical testing using the LUMiFrac resulted in superior sensitivity differentiation of the various surface treatments than non-destructive methods.

For the complete publication, please see the link above.

Keywords: adhesive joints, CFRP, composite laminates, mechanical adhesion testing, adhesive joints, ultrasound testing, electromechanical impedance, EMI, NDT, LUMiFrac