Mode I fracture toughness of an adhesively bonded composite–composite joint in a cryogenic environment

To determine the effect of cryogenic temperature on the adhesive fracture toughness of an adhesively bonded joint with composite adherends, monotonic mode I adhesive fracture toughness tests were performed at liquid nitrogen temperature (−196 °C) and at room temperature (27 °C). From these experimental tests, the critical strain energy release rate for both test temperatures was evaluated for the selected bonded joint system constructed of carbon-BMI adherends bonded with AF-191M film adhesive. Experimental results exhibit reduced adhesive fracture toughness at the cryogenic temperature and a profound difference in fracture mode.