Improving performance of GFRP/aluminum single lap joints using bolted/co-cured hybrid method

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 154 - 163
• Main Authors: Matsuzaki, Ryosuke, Shibata, Motoko, Todoroki, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Glass fibers; A. Hybrid; Adhesive bonding; Applied sciences; Co-cure; E. Joints/joining; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Joining, thermal cutting: metallurgical aspects; Laminates; Metals. Metallurgy; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Co-cure; A. Glass fibers; E. Joints/joining; A. Hybrid; Bolted joint; Strengthening; Lap joint; Laminate; Fiber reinforced material; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Shear strength; Adhesive bonding; Aluminium alloy; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; Composite material; Fatigue strength; Adhesive joint; Glass fiber fabric; Woven material; Damaging
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2007.11.009

The present study proposes a bolted/co-cured hybrid joining method, and experimentally investigates the joint strength. The bolted/co-cured hybrid joints combine co-cured adhesive joints and bolted joints without damaging reinforcing fibers. The method allows for low scatter strength in static and fatigue loading for easily manufactured co-cured joints. Testing of the static tensile lap-shear and fatigue strengths is performed using aluminum alloy A5052-F and knit fabric glass epoxy composites. The results show that the hybrid joints have 1.84 times higher maximum shear strength and a quarter of the standard deviation compared with conventional co-cured joints. Furthermore, less stress concentration and undamaged glass fibers in the hybrid joints contribute to a much higher fatigue strength than that of the bolted joint.