Abstract
This paper discusses the significance of the non-linear mechanical behaviour of a thermoset adhesive, FM73, in the design and analysis of bonded joints. This adhesive is widely used in the bonded repair of metallic aircraft structures. The results presented in this paper include test data conducted at room temperature and at an elevated temperature. The time dependent properties of this film adhesive are shown to be significant even at room temperature. There was considerable stress relaxation observed during strain hold experiments and the adhesive was also found to demonstrate significant creep characteristics during creep tests. The monotonic shear stress/strain behaviour and time dependent characteristics can be adequately described using a unified theory of plasticity. This paper also presents results from a finite element analysis of a adhesively bonded joint. These results show that significant error in the analysis may result during monotonic loading if the rate dependency of the adhesive is not taken into account. This has significant implications in the design and analysis of bonded joints.
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