ISSN: 0884-6804
CODEN: JCTRER
Page Count: 8

Testing Composite-to-Metal Tubular Lap Joints
Slavin, AM
Member of technical staff, Sandia National Laboratories, NM

Reedy, ED
Member of technical staff, Sandia National Laboratories, NM

Guess, TR
Member of technical staff, Sandia National Laboratories, NM

Abstract

Procedures were developed to fabricate, nondestructively evaluate, and mechanically test composite-to-metal tubular joints. The axially loaded tubular lap joint specimen consisted of two metal tubes bonded within each end of a fiberglass composite tube. Joint specimens with both tapered and untapered aluminum adherends and a plain weave E-glass/epoxy composite were tested in tension, compression, and flexure. Other specimens with tapered and untapered steel adherends and a triaxially reinforced E-glass/epoxy composite were tested in tension and compression. Test results include joint strength and failure mode data. A finite element analysis (FEA) of the axially loaded joints explains the effect of adherend geometry and material properties on measured joint strength. The flexural specimen was also analyzed; calculated surface strains are in good agreement with measured values, and joint failure occurs in the region of calculated peak peel stress.

Keywords:
composites, tubular joints, static testing, flexural testing, bonded joints, adhesives, finite element analysis (FEA)

Paper ID: CTR10475J
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10475J
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