Investigating the influence of the chamfer and fillet on the high-cyclic fatigue strength of adhesive joints of steel parts

This paper presents the results of research undertaken to determine the possibility of improving the fatigue properties of peel-loaded adhesive-bonded joints by the constructional modification of the adherend. Fatigue strength tests were carried out on the electromagnetic inductor at the resonance frequency of the adhesive-bonded joint specimens. The tests were carried out on the specimens bonded by means of Bison Epoxy and Epidian 57 epoxy compositions with poly-aluminium chloride hardener. The joined elements were modified by making the chamfer or fillet to enlarge the thickness of the adhesive layer with the aim of reducing the stress concentration in the frontal part of the joint. This modification is the result of a research that confirms the existence of a stress concentration on the short section of the frontal part of an adhesive joint. This phenomenon can lead to the rapid initiation of adhesive joint destruction. The fatigue strength tests revealed a significant improvement in fatigue endurance.