Study of Cryogenic Mechanical Strength and Fracture Behavior of Adhesives for CFRP Tanks of Reusable Launch Vehicles

Bonding strengths of three types of adhesives were evaluated at different temperatures. The effects of temperature and adhesive thickness on the strength were clarified from the results. It concluded that EA9394 cured at room temperature is the overall best performing adhesive for CFRP applications at cryogenic temperatures. The initial failure mode of double-lap specimens was also discussed from the results by strain/stress analysis. And also...