Linear elastic analysis of the loading rate dependency of the fracture properties of structural adhesives in the mixed mode I+II plane

In this paper, the fracture properties of a structural adhesive are investigated via the Tapered Double Cantilever Beam (TDCB) and the Mixed Mode Bending (MMB) tests. The experiments were performed at low to fairly low loading rates. The results were analyzed using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). It is shown that the testing speed has considerable impact on the fracture behaviour when close to mode II. Nonetheless, TDCB and MMB...