The Effect of Nano Graphene Reinforcement on Pin and Adhesively Bonded Sandwich Composite Structures

Abstract

The subject of joining composite parts in important issue in a wide range of engineering applications. Currently mechanically-fastened and adhesively bonded joints are the two established and accepted techniques of joining used in aerospace industry for assembling composite structures. More effective adhesively bonded joints can be achieved by increasing the chemical properties of the adhesive. In this paper, nano graphene particles were added adhesive in various proportions (0.5%wt., 1%wt. and 1.5%wt.) to increase the mechanical strength of the pin and adhesively bonded (hybrid, bolted/bonded) sandwich composite structures. The mechanical properties of the newly produced nano graphene added adhesives were determined experimentally. Sandwich composite structure hybrid models with holes were created using finite elements method. The two dimensional plane strain and three dimensional analyses have been carried out. Effect of the nano graphene reinforced and hybrid structures to the all displacements were discussed on tensile property of the sandwich structures. The sensitivity of mechanical response to the compressibility of the adhesive material has been demonstrated. Numerical analysis of nano graphene reinforced hybrid joints show their strength life is longer than corresponding adhesively bonded/bolted joints Furthermore, hybrid joints can modify the tensioncompression area distribution at the side of the bolt hole, thus making composite material participate more in the load bearing. This is reflected in the increased bolt hole strain and better structural performance.