Static and Fatigue Behavior of Fusion Bonded APC-2/AS4 Thermoplastic Composite Joints

This study investigates static and fatigue behavior of fusion bonded joints made of APC- 2/AS4 thermoplastic composite. Fusion bonded joints were produced by a resistance welding technique using metal mesh heating elements. After optimizing welding processing parameters, several lap-shear samples were welded and tested under static and dynamic loadings. Under the static tests, the welded joints showed an average weld strength of 50.1 MPa and post-fracture surfaces exhibited a complete weld with an excellent surface wet-out. The fatigue tests were performed in tension-tension under a stress ratio of 0.1 and a frequency of 5 Hz. The fatigue tests were carried out over the range of 25% to 100% of the failure load. The S-N curve suggested three regimes of low, intermediate, and infinite cycle fatigue life. Above the 75% of the maximum weld strength, the welded samples revealed low cycle fatigue life of less than 3,000 cycles. Between 75% and 45% of the maximum weld strength, the welded samples exhibited intermediate fatigue life of 17,000-400,000 cycles. Below 45% of the maximum weld strength, the welded samples reached their fatigue limit of over 1,000,000 cycles.

Authors: Ali Yousefpour, Mehdi Hojjati

Conference: SEICO 07 - Paris, France - Apr. 2-4 / 2007

SKU/Code: SEICO 07-67

Pages: 6