Static and dynamic strength evaluation of interference fit and adhesively bonded cylindrical joints

The present work aims at defining the anaerobic adhesive residual strength in drive-fit and adhesively bonded cylindrical joints, loaded with a tension–tension fatigue cycle. The final purpose is to evaluate the possibility of reducing the interference level by taking advantage of the adhesive strength. The tested specimens are some shaft hub cylindrical joints made of different materials: the hubs are always made of steel alloy whereas the shafts are made both of steel alloy and of aluminium alloy. Firstly, some coupling and decoupling tests have been performed in order to evaluate the static strength of the joints, calculated as the addition of the interference contribution with the adhesive contribution. Then, the fatigue tests have been carried out in order to evaluate the adhesive residual strength after 106 tension–tension fatigue cycles. The fatigue cycles have been related to the static strength of the joint. The mechanical behaviour of steel–steel couplings has been observed to be strongly different from the aluminium–steel ones.