New Possibility for the Connection of Metal Sheets and Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Abstract

This research paper presents a new possibility for the connection of metal sheets and fibre reinforced plastics (FRPs) through a cold metal transfer welding process. Small metal projections (pins) are welded onto metal surfaces by introduction of additional filler wire. These provide the possibility for building up a fixation with composites through fibre-friendly form-closure and co-curing. Results of tensile loaded double-lap shear geometries are presented for three types of pin geometries. The hybrid joints will be characterized and compared in terms of maximum reaction force and failure history. Joints with cylindrical and spiky pins inside show a certain load transfer capability, where ultimate bearing load and post failure behaviour have a high dependence on the quality of the co-cured adhesive bonding and the bending characteristics of the pins. Joints with spherical ending pins show twice as high ultimate bearing loads at a much more distinctive joint expansion.