Effect of surface pre-treatment and temperature on the adhesive strength of hybrid aluminum joints

Abstract

The strength of adhesively bonded hybrid joints is affected by various factors which include type of assembly, type of adherend, operating temperature, surface pre-treatment and others. In this study, the effects of pre-treatment and operating temperature on bonding strength are investigated experimentally. The experiments are carried out under mechanical abrasion, FPL and P2 etching conditions at different test temperatures of -20°C, 0°C, 20°C, 50°C. Three type rivet arrangements are tested in order to see an effect of rivet reinforcement. Test results showed that FPL and P2 etching improved the strength of the joint according to mechanical abrasion. The strength of the joints did not change significantly depending on temperature and humidity for mechanical abrasion, but the acid etched joints are affected by temperature and humidity, especially P2 etched joints presented lower strength at 50°C and 95 % Rh. The reinforcement of the adhesive joint with rivets did not remarkably affect the joint strength.