In-Situ CT Damage Analysis of Metal Inserts Embedded in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

Abstract

Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are gaining increasing applicability to lightweight structures (e.g., automotive applications) due to their outstanding mechanical properties. High-performance parts can be fabricated from CFRPs, but they have the disadvantages of low shear and bearing strength. To achieve detachable connections and introduce loads without decreasing the load-bearing capacity of the composite, it is important to use mechanical fasteners without drilling into the parts. To accomplish this, metal elements called inserts are embedded in the CFRP laminate. Damage behavior in a CFRP under tensile conditions has several different mechanisms, depending primarily on the deformation of the insert. This research investigates the in-situ failure behavior of the composite under tensile loads by investigating the deformation of the insert via computed tomography (CT). The results are also used for validation of the insert’s deformation using a finite-element model (FEM).