Optimum design of the co-cured double lap joint composed of aluminum and carbon epoxy composite

Abstract

Since the co-cured joint composed of composite and metallic structures has been widely used in joining process due to its simple and easy manufacturing process, the optimum design of the co-cured joint is important because the joint is usually the weakest part among the components of assembled structures. In this work, the effect of design parameters for co-cured joint, such as fiber stacking sequence, stiffness ratio of composite to aluminum on the static tensile load capabilities and dynamic fatigue characteristics of the co-cured double lap joint composed of aluminum and carbon epoxy composite were experimentally investigated. Also, the stress distribution and energy release rate of the co-cured joint were calculated using finite element analysis with respect to design parameters. From the experimental and finite element analysis results, the optimum values for each design parameters were obtained. Also, the optimum stiffness ratio for each stacking sequence of the carbon epoxy composite was obtained. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.