Characterization and material model definition of toughened adhesives for finite element analysis

Some toughened adhesives used for structural joints are characterised by non-linear behaviour prior to failure that may significantly influence the entire joint response. The determination of appropriate and accurate material models for use in analysis and design phases covering both nonlinearities and final material rupture constitutes one of the main challenges for the utilisation of adhesives and for offering designers the same confidence level as that offered by other joining techniques.The present research proposes the utilisation of both elasto-plastic and continuum damage models as a combination that can fully reproduce the mechanical response of toughened adhesives in finite element (FE) analysis. In this context, the Drucker–Prager exponential model has demonstrated to provide accurate fits with the nonlinearities of these materials, allowing the real plastic behaviour of the adhesives to be adjusted in the computational models with a high degree of correlation. On the other hand, a continuum damage model has been proposed to simulate the final material failure process introducing a displacement-based damage parameter into the constitutive equation of the damaged material. The definition of the parameters associated with the mentioned models has been carried out through the execution of an experimental programme combining traction and torsion tests, described in the present paper as part of the study developed. The research is finally completed with an experimental and FE analysis of a specific bonded joint that allows the operation of the material model to be checked in a real application.