Experimental and numerical investigation of the transition zone of locally steel-reinforced joining areas under combined tension–bending loading

Abstract

In modern lightweight structures, the use of fasteners is preferred to other joining techniques. An approach to increase the bearing strength is the local metal hybridisation, where carbon fibre-reinforced plastics layers are substituted locally by metal foils of the same thickness. The local replacement leads to a transition zone between the hybrid region and the pure carbon fibre-reinforced plastics region. The present work deals with the investigation of different transition zone patterns of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics-steel hybrid specimens in combined tension–bending tests and accompanying non-linear static simulation. The simulation includes delamination and intralaminar damage with the use of a cohesive zone model and Cuntze’s failure mode concept. Furthermore, residual thermal stresses are considered. A satisfying agreement of test and simulation is achieved, which allows the identification of beneficial transition zone configurations and also validates the numerical model for further parametric studies.

Plastic Deformation, Microstructure, and Residual Stress in Metal Joining for Light Weighting

“…e issues facing the joining of dissimilar materials, such as ceramics to metals [2], composite to metal [3,4], two dissimilar metals [5,6], constantly need to be addressed. Many joining techniques that are fusion-based [1,7] and mechanical fastenings [3] that have been proposed are promising, but the accompanying severe plastic deformation and the microstructural modifications that typically attend joints for both fusion and mechanical joining processes can potentially cause problems and need to be addressed.…”

“…Consequently, the mechanical condition of the joint-affected zone needs to be studied well especially the propensity for the development of residual stresses. A continuous development of innovations is required to achieve the goal of efficient joining methods for newly developed lightweight materials that covers the commonly used candidates: Ti-Al-V [2], Mg-Zn [6], and Al-alloys [7] and fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) [3,4]. e objective of this special issue is to collate manuscripts addressing significant developments and innovations in research and overview of technology for joining and combination of dissimilar materials in engineering components to achieve improved performance and lightweight.…”