Surface preparation effect on performance of adhesively-bonded graphite/epoxy composites subjected to impact

The influence of pre-bond surface preparation on performance of adhesively-bonded composites subjected to impact was investigated in this study. Impact test was carried out on adhesively bonded graphite/epoxy composite specimens at different low impact energies ranging from 5 to 20 J using the drop-weight impact test. Post-impact ultrasonic evaluation was performed in order to determine the resulting internal damage due to impact on the adhesive bondline. The ultrasonic C-scan of the gated ultrasonic wave signal was acquired and the ensuing debond area in the adhesive bond was determined quantitatively for specimens made from substrates with different surface preparations such as paper peel ply, sandblasting, and sandpaper abrasion. In order to determine the flexural load bearing capacity and stiffness reduction after impact, a three-point bending test was conducted on unimpacted and impacted specimens. A comparative study was performed to evaluate the performance of adhesively-bonded composites with different surface preparations. The results revealed that paper-peel ply performed the best in terms of resistance to debond area formation in the adhesive layer, as well as in terms of retention of flexural load bearing capacity and stiffness after impact.