Damage Zone around Tip of an Interface Crack between Rubber-Modified Epoxy Resin and Aluminum

Abstract

The fracture behavior of an interface crack tip has significant influence on the structural integrity of an adhesive joint. We investigate a damage zone and the deformation of rubber particles around a tip of an interface crack between rubber-modified epoxy resin and aluminum. They are compared with those around a crack tip in homogeneous rubbermodified epoxy resin. Cavitations in rubber particles are observed around a damaged crack tip in homogeneous resin but not around a damaged interface crack tip. Rubber particles around an interface crack tip are deformed ellipsoidally due to the residual stress even before being damaged, and interfaces between rubber particles and epoxy resin around an interface crack tip are debonded after being damaged.