Mechanical study on hybrid joining type carbon fiber reinforced composite

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the fabrication and joining mechanisms of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The CFRP composites were fabricated by hand lay-up and vacuum bagging methods. In order to improve the efficiency of the CFRP-CFRP and CFRP-AL 7075-T651 joints, laminates with varying overlap lengths of 25 and 60 mm single lap joints were prepared in both multi-riveted and hybrid bonded/riveted joint configurations. Due to the epoxy compatibility of CFRP-CFRP joints, riveted/bonded hybrid joints (HJs) showed superior improvements compared to riveted joints for both material combinations at 25 and 60 mm overlap lengths. Non-epoxy compatible surfaces of CFRP-AL 7075-T651 specimens performed similarly to riveted joints in hybrid configurations. The use of epoxy compatible surfaces was found to increase the joint strength in CFRP-CFRP single lap hybrid joints in proportion to the increase in overlap length. Ansys non-linear analysis and experimental results were complementary. The new improvements in joint efficiency of CFRP composites create a wide range of structural applications considering the increasing lifetime of the components and joints. Highlights: Riveting of composites have negative impact on joint strentgh. Hybrid joints using a combination of rivets and adhesives can increase the load bearing capacity. Tensile performance strategy of joint in composites can be improved by diversification of joint combinations.