Low-velocity impact analysis of metal-composite joints with grain-refined A356 and reinforced epoxy adhesive using six node pentahedron cohesive elements

This study evaluates the strength of double lap joints composed of metal composite adherends and epoxy adhesive subjected to low impact energies (20 J, 40 J). The study was carried out through experimental and numerical methods to understand the strength of lap joints comprehensively. In the production of double lap joints, A356 aluminum and grain-refined aluminum adherends were used as the metal components. To refine the grain structure, titanium (Ti) and boron (B) were added to the liquid metal at a rate of 0.01% of the total metal weight (A356-TiB). The composite laminates consisted of glass/epoxy and aramid/epoxy, made with unidirectionally oriented fibers. Araldite 2015 epoxy adhesive, available in both unreinforced and copolyester-reinforced forms, was utilized to bond the metal and composite materials. In the numerical analysis of double-lap joints, the metal and composite adherends are modeled using 8-node solid elements, while the adhesive is represented by 6-node pentahedron cohesive elements. Furthermore, a surface-to-surface, two-way treatment of contact was created between the impactor and the metal adherend. Consequently, the maximum impact loads obtained from the numerical analysis are in good agreement with the experimental results for both impact energies.