Flexural Effects Evaluation on Hybrid Joints Under Uniaxial Tensile Load

Hybrid joints are a wide diffused design solution in the manufacturing industry for mechanical parts connection. The simultaneous use of two different connection mechanisms, such as bonding and bolting, allows to exploit the advantages of both techniques. There are many industrial applications where such methodology is extensively used, such as the automotive and aerospace ones. In addition to the many advantages offered by the use of hybrid joints, there are some troubles that limit their use and require the scientific research support for the development of such connections. With reference to a single lap joint, the flexural effects induced by the joint geometry are not negligible. The inhomogeneity of the joint along the load application direction inevitably determines significant bending effects, the more evident the thinner the adherends that constitute the joint. The bending effects can also lead to excessive section rotation, inducing effects of binding between washer and adherend. Such effect is even more evident in the case of polymeric composite adherends, rapidly leading the joint to a catastrophic end. In the present work some interesting experimental tests are shown, varying geometrical parameters of the joint.