THE INFLUENCE OF LAP SIZE ON SHEAR STRENGTH OF ADHESIVE JOINTS

Adhesive joints may be used instead of forced-in joints, welded and riveted joints, soldered and twisted connections. They are characterized by a lot of advantages, thanks to them the adhesive joints are willingly used in manufacturing processes. These advantages include low price of joint, reduction of weight of the final construction, improvement of durability, reliability and quality and improving visual appearance. From this point of view it should be concluded that experimental tests of adhesive joints are grounded. In the paper the results of experimental tests of static shear strength of single-lap joints are presented. These joints are made with two constructive glues. The specimens made from AISI 4130 steel were glued. Their surfaces were prepared in two versions before gluing: grinded with abrasive paper by hand and cleaned by sand-blasting. The results were analyzed from variable size of the lap point of view