Composites are in high demand; however, fasteners are often required for joining process and can reduce their advantages. One solution is adhesive bonding, but uncertainty exists regarding long term durability and the ability to interrogate bonds noninvasively. One potential solution to qualify bond integrity over its service life is to dope an adhesive with magneto-electric nanoparticles (MENs). MENs can yield output magnetic signatures that are influenced by bond quality and damage state. In this study, adhesives have been doped with MENs prior to bonding at 1% volume concentration. For optimum implementation, this health monitoring system should be evaluated for effects of the MENs on the mechanical properties. Lap-shear testing was conducted to assess changes in the bond strength from addition of the nanoparticles. End-notched flexure (ENF) tests were also conducted for fracture mechanism evaluation. Results showed an increase of 12% in shear strength as a function of MENs loading concentration. In addition, a feasibility study of output magnetic signature as a function of elevated temperature and humidity were evaluated for MENs doped and un-doped adhesives. Results gave an order of magnitude change in magnetic signal as a function of exposure time.
