Bond parameters affecting failure of co-cured single and double lap joints subjected to static and dynamic tensile loads

Abstract

ABSTRACT Generally, static and dynamic joint strengths of a lap joint are dependent on the surface roughness. Because the composite laminate has a different stiffness with respect to the stacking angle, it is also important to consider the dependence of the strength of a lap joint on the stacking sequence of the composite laminate. And, manufacturing pressure in the autoclave during the bonding process affects the wetting behavior of the resin onto the surface of the steel adherend. In this paper, bond parameters, namely surface roughness, stacking sequence, and manufacturing pressure, affecting failure of the co-cured single and double lap joints with steel and carbon fiber-epoxy composite adherends were investigated through static and dynamic tensile tests. Systematic failure mechanisms of the co-cured single and double lap joints were explained. Tensile load bearing capacities of the co-cured single and double lap joints were calculated using stress distributions obtained through finite element analysis considering residual thermal stresses and then compared to those of the experimental results.