Failure analysis of thermoplastic composites subject to galvanic corrosion in hybrid metal–composite joints

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis Vol. 164; p. 108405
• Main Authors: Canturri, Carla, Salim, Yoga Sugama, Pivdiablyk, Ivanna, Sing, Swee Leong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Bearing strength; Galvanic corrosion; Thermoplastic composite; Galvanic corrosion; Bearing strength; Thermoplastic composite
• ISSN: 1350-6307
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108405

The damage sustained by carbon fibre reinforced polymers due to the effect of galvanic corrosion induced by coupling between carbon fibres and a metallic material in a hybrid joint is investigated. Composite laminates with two fibre architectures and two thermoplastic matrices (polycarbonate and polyamide 6) are coupled to a metallic fastener and exposed to salted fog conditions. Both the effects of the salted fog environment and the coupled effect of the environmental and the galvanic corrosion are analysed. The analysis is centred in, firstly, characterising the functional properties of the hybrid joint, secondly characterising the laminate properties and finally characterising the chemical degradation of the matrix. The results show a degradation of properties for the polycarbonate material, in terms of bearing performance and interlaminar shear strength as well as presenting obvious changes in the thermal characterisation. The polyamide composites remain largely unaffected and only minor changes in the surface appearance are noteworthy. [Display omitted] •The effect of galvanic corrosion in a composite–metal joint has been investigated•The coupling between salted fog exposure and galvanic corrosion has been shown•Polyamide shows a greater resistance to galvanic corrosion damage than polycarbonate