LAUSR

The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube and/or boron nitride nano platelets usage on shear strength and thermal stability of epoxy based adhesives have been investigated. Commercially available diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A based epoxy was used as matrix and reinforced by using nanofillers. The resulting adhesive was tested for its shear-lap adhesion to aluminum alloy sheets (2024-T3). The nano particles modified epoxy adhesives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravity analyses analysis. These characterizations revealed that incorporation of nano particles can result in enhancement in chemical stability. Single lap strength joint testing was conducted in accordance with ASTM-D-1002-10 standard. Fracture morphologies and the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nano platelets on epoxy adhesive were investigated after shear tests by means of scanning electron microscopy. Compared to neat epoxy, increases of 30% in shear strength and 57% in energy required to break joints have been obtained by multi-walled carbon nanotube/boron nitride nano platelet modification.