Improvement of mechanical properties in epoxy adhesive joints of Al alloy via carbon nanotubes from flame

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the flame were used as interface enhancers for epoxy-bonded Al alloy joints. The structure characteristics of CNTs were investigated in detail by the combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of CNTs incorporation on the lap shear strength (LSS) ofbonded joints were investigated in comparison with those of the CNTs-uncontained bonded joints. The CNTs-incorporated LSS was enhanced evidently, the maximum LSS value reached 20.1 MPa. The dependence of micromorphology of failure of the bonded joints was analyzed systematically based on the images from the SEM. The strengthening mechanism was also illuminated according to the fracture morphology of the bonded joints and evidently improved static contact angle of the surface of the Al alloy plates.