Effects of epoxy resin liquidity on the mechanical properties of aluminum foam sandwich

Adhesion strength plays an important role in the mechanical properties of glued aluminum foam sandwich (AFS). This study aims to understand the effect of epoxy resin liquidity on the three-point bending performance of AFS. The liquidity of epoxy resin was improved by adding alcohol or acetone diluents. The adhesion strength of seven groups of epoxy resin added with different quantities of alcohol or acetone were tested through single-lap shear test and the mechanical properties of AFS glued by the seven adhesives were investigated through three-point bending test by using WDW-T100 electronic universal tensile testing machine. Results indicated that the liquidity influenced the properties of epoxy resin significantly and then affected the mechanical properties of glued AFS. The adhesion strength went down with the improvement of epoxy resin liquidity in general but when certain quantity of acetone was added into the epoxy resin, its plasticity improved and then the deformation mechanism of AFS changed, especially when 15% of acetone was added into the epoxy resin the energy absorption value of AFS improved by over 100%. This work can not only improve the comprehensive properties of AFS but may make it possible for AFS to be produced by machine because of the improvement of the epoxy resin liquidity.