Life Prediction of CFRP/Metal Bolted Joint Under Water Absorption Condition

Abstract

Our proposed accelerated testing methodology (ATM) for the long-term life prediction of polymer matrix composites and structures is based on the time-temperature superposition principle to be held for the viscoelasticity of polymer matrix. This article is concerned with the life prediction of CFRP/metal bolted joint under water absorption condition based on ATM. CFRP/metal bolted joints were prepared under three conditions of ‘Dry,’ ‘Wet,’ and ‘Wet + Dry.’ The tensile static and fatigue tests of CFRP/metal bolted joints under these three conditions were performed at various loading rates and temperatures. As a result, the master curves of static and fatigue failure loads of these joints for the long-term life prediction were obtained and the influence of water absorption on the long-term life of these joints was cleared.