Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites for Strengthening Adhesive Tubular Joints

Abstract

Adhesives are widely used for making joints in various structures. A strong and durable joint is required for heavy duty structures. Various reinforcement materials are being used for improving the strength of adhesives. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are observed as strong reinforcing material in the development of nanocomposites. In this work multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), reinforced epoxy adhesives are used for strengthening tubular joints in pipe sections. Continuum modeling approach using finite element method is applied for the design and analysis of tubular joint. Stresses at the joint section are analyzed under tensile and torsion loading conditions. Effect of geometrical parameters such as adhesive thickness, overlap length and pipe material in the strength of the joint is determined. The results obtained can be used to optimize the joint. The simulation technique used in this work is found to be useful for the composite pipe designers for designing joints for pipe applications. A comparison of von mises stresses for MWCNT-reinforced epoxy adhesive and epoxy adhesive indicates that MWCNT filled epoxy joints provide higher bonding strength than the epoxy joints. The present model is validated with Lubkin and Reissner’s model. The plot of normalized stresses for both models reveals that the finite element results are in good agreement with the theoretical results.