Herein the synthesis, characterization, and study of spectroscopic, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties of polymeric composites are presented. The composites were obtained in special molds (8 × 10 cm) based on the commercially available epoxy resin Epidian^® 601 cross-linked by 10% w/w triethylenetetramine (TETA). To improve the thermal and mechanical properties of the synthetic epoxy resins, natural fillers in the form of minerals from the silicate cluster kaolinite (KA) or clinoptilolite (CL) were added to the composites. The structures of the materials obtained were confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR). The thermal properties of the resins were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) in an inert atmosphere. The hardness of the crosslinked products was determined using the Shore D method. Moreover, strength tests were performed on the 3PB (three-point bending) specimen, with the analysis of tensile strains conducted using the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique.

Modelling and testing of hybrid joints obtained by combination of two simple techniques, i.e., by application of spot welding and adhesive, is reported. The joints were subjected to uniaxial tension. The experiments were performed for: 1) a pure joining of the parts by spot welding and 2) spot welding–adhesive joining of the structural elements. A new experimental method was elaborated with application of two digital image correlation (DIC) systems. The method allowed for online monitoring of the deformation process of the joined elements with complex shapes. Modelling of the hybrid joints response to mechanical loading was performed by ABAQUS code. Damage process in the adhesive layer was taken into account. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that the strengthening of joints by the application of adhesive significantly improves static strength and energy absorption. The visible degradation process of the adhesive layer which started prior to the maximum value of force carrying the hybrid joint was obtained.

The plywood is considered as a layered cross-ply unidirectional fibre reinforced composite. The experimental Compact Tension (CT) tests carried out in different directions of plywood fibre orientation show that the characteristics of damages are fibre bundle rupture, matrix cracking along the fibres, and delamination at the ply interlayers of glue. The plywood CT specimens are modelled by continuum shell and cohesive finite elements with damage evolution in material models. The Finite Element (FE) model simulates the experimental behaviour of plywood samples very well and allows deep investigation of the different types of damage development and interaction. The FE model of plywood is useful for its lay-up optimization and for development of very efficient in large-scale simulations computational models of plywood.

The article presents a method of modifying the strength properties of epoxy–glass composite by changing the percentage composition of the matrix by the addition of rubber recyclate. Taking into account environmental protection and economic conditions in the process of recycling and utilisation of waste, it is advisable to look for applications of non-degradable waste materials. Based on epoxy resin, a glass mat with a random direction of fibres and rubber recyclate, a test material with different percentage compositions was produced. Samples from the manufactured materials were subjected to a static tensile test on a ZwickRoell testing machine using the ARAMIS SRX measuring system. In addition, CT (computerized tomography) scans of the inside of the samples were made using a ZEISS METROTOM 6 Scout tomograph, and observations of the internal structures were made using a scanning electron microscope. The use of optical and microscopic techniques enabled the precise determination of strength parameters of the examined composites and the analysis of the behaviour of samples under load. The analysis of deformations over time in the examined samples showed a beneficial effect of the addition of rubber recyclate on the elastic properties of the examined composites.