In the present research, we carry out a systematical experimental investigation on the strength, toughness and failure mechanism of the metal/silicone rubber/metal bonding system. For the case of the aluminum alloy cylinder/silicone rubber/aluminum alloy cylinder bonding system, we measure the tensile deformation and failure behaviors, including the dependence of the failure loading on the adhesive layer thickness and scarf angle. Through introducing a series of definitions, such as average normal stress, average shear stress, average normal strain and average shear strain, along the bonding interface, we realize the measurements on interfacial failure strength, and obtain the relationship between the interfacial strength and the interfacial scarf angle as well as adhesive layer thickness, and we further obtain the failure strength surface, interfacial fracture energy, as well as the energy release rate for the bonding system. The obtained results can provide a scientific basis for deeply understanding the strength and toughness properties as well as the failure mechanism of the metal-adhesive bonding system, and have an important guidance on optimization design and property evolution of the bonding system.
