This research focuses on the study of the effects of processing conditions on the Johnson–Cook material model parameters for orthogonal machining of aluminum (Al 6061-T6) alloy. Two sets of parameters of Johnson–Cook material model describing material behavior of Al 6061-T6 were investigated by comparing cutting forces and chip morphology. A two-dimensional finite element model was developed and validated with the experimental results published literature. Cutting tests were conducted at low-, medium-, and high-speed cutting speeds. Chip formation and cutting forces were compared with the numerical model. A novel technique of cutting force measurement using power meter was also validated. It was found that the cutting forces decrease at higher cutting speeds as compared to the low and medium cutting speeds. The poor prediction of cutting forces by Johnson–Cook model at higher cutting speeds and feed rates showed the existence of a material behavior that does not exist at lower or medium cutting speeds. Two factors were considered responsible for the change in cutting forces at higher cutting speeds: change in coefficient of friction and thermal softening. The results obtained through numerical investigations after incorporated changes in coefficient of friction showed a good agreement with the experimental results.

In recent years, cohesive elements based on the cohesive zone model (CZM) have been increasingly used within finite element analyses of adhesively bonded joints to predict failure. The cohesive element approach has advantages over fracture mechanics methods in that an initial crack does not have to be incorporated within the model. It is also capable of modelling crack propagation and representing material damage in a process zone ahead of the crack tip. However, the cohesive element approach requires the placement of special elements along the crack path and is, hence, less suited to situations where the exact crack path is not known a priori. The extended finite element method (XFEM) can be used to represent cracking within a finite element and hence removes the requirement to define crack paths or have an initial crack in the structure. In this article, a hybrid XFEM-cohesive element approach is used to model cracking in the fillet area using XFEM where the crack path is not known and then using cohesive elements to model crack and damage progression along the interface. The approach is applied to the case of an aluminium–epoxy single lap joint and is shown to be highly effective.

This paper presents a methodology for predicting moisture concentration in an epoxy adhesive under cyclic moisture absorption-desorption conditions. The diffusion characteristics of the adhesive were determined by gravimetric experiments under cyclic moisture conditions and the dependence of diffusion coefficient and saturated mass uptake on moisture history was determined. Non-Fickian moisture absorption was observed during absorption cycles while moisture desorption remained Fickian. The diffusion coefficient and saturated moisture content showed variation with absorption-desorption cycling. A finite element-based methodology incorporating moisture history was developed to predict the cyclic moisture concentration. A comparison is made between the new modelling methodology and a similar method that neglects the moisture history dependence. It was seen that the concentration predictions based on non-history dependent diffusion characteristics resulted in over-prediction of the moisture concentration in cyclic conditioning of adhesive joints. The proposed method serves as the first step in the formulation of a general methodology to predict the moisture dependent degradation and failure in adhesives.