Experimental Investigation of the Peel Strength and Peel Stress Distribution of Aluminum – Steel (Galvanized Foil) Laminate

Abstract

Experimental investigation of the Peel Strength and Peel Stress distribution of
Aluminum-Steel (Galvanized foil) Laminate is reported. Due to the need for continued
improvement in weight reduction in aircrafts in the Aircraft industry; choice of corrosionfree materials in the Food/Beverages and Medical industries, attention has been focused on
choice of appropriate materials that combine strength, light weight and corrosion/rust-free
properties. Aluminum and Steel hybrid appears to satisfy the orchestrated properties above.
Consequent on the foregoing Aluminum – steel (Galvanized foil) laminate bonds were
prepared using Araldite Rapid (an Epoxy Adhesive) as the bonding agent. The specimens
were subjected to Peel Test on the Mosanto Tensometer. Outcome of investigation revealed
that a mode of failure was by the Steel foil simply peeling off the Aluminum piece along
the bond film; much strength was needed to initiate the peel, after which little strength was
needed per elongation and that the ends of the laminate carried 63.8% of the total load.