3rd TAGRA

Adhesive bonding is widely used in composite and polymer-based structures to join different materials due to its advantages, including low weight, uniform load transfer, and reduced stress concentrations. Since interfacial interactions and the mechanical performance of the adhesive are decisive in bonding different materials, modifying adhesives with nanosized additives is considered an effective approach to improving bonding performance. This study experimentally investigates the tensile behavior of single-lap adhesive joints (SLJ) composed of glass fiber/epoxy composite plates, produced by hand lay-up, and polylactic acid (PLA) plates fabricated using a 3D printer. The glass fiber/epoxy composite plates were manufactured using six-layer glass fiber fabric and a Hexion Epicote Resin MGSLR 635 epoxy resin with a Hexion Epicote Curing Agent MGH LH 635 hardener system. Six joint groups were prepared, representing three material combinations: glass fiber–glass fiber (GF–GF), glass fiber–PLA (GF–PLA), and PLA–PLA. Araldite® 2015-1 adhesive, modified with 0.5% by weight nano-Ag particles and unmodified, was used to bond the joints. The SLJ samples were subjected to tensile testing at a rate of 1 mm/min, and the resulting load-displacement curves were comparatively evaluated. The findings demonstrate the influence of nano-Ag reinforcement on the load-carrying capacity and deformation behavior of bonded joints with different material combinations. Experimental results revealed that adding 0.5% nano-Ag to the adhesive improved bonding performance across all sample groups. With nano-Ag modification, the maximum tensile loads of GF–GF, GF–PLA, and PLA–PLA bonds increased by 3.99%, 10.60%, and 120.98%, respectively; the largest increases in relative strength and ductility were recorded in the PLA–PLA joint group.