Effect of the Application of Different Surface Treatment Methods on the Strength of Titanium Alloy Sheet Adhesive Lap Joints

This study investigated the effect of the different surface treatment methods on the strength of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy sheet adhesive joints. The following surface treatment methods were used: alkaline degreasing, anodizing, vibratory shot peening, and anodizing with vibrational shot peening. The following tests/measurements were carried out during the experiment: surface roughness measurements; microhardness measurements (conducted by the Vickers hardness test method); and strength tests of single-lap adhesive joints fabricated with the use of two epoxy adhesives, rigid and flexible, both based on epoxy resin Epidian 5. It has been found that the application of anodizing followed by vibratory shot peening leads to increased strength of adhesive joints, irrespective of the type of applied epoxy adhesive.