Static Tensile and Fatigue Performance Investigations of CFRP / CFRP Single‐Lap Gasket‐Bush Riveted Joints

ABSTRACT

To reduce riveting damage and improve fatigue performance, a gasket‐bush riveted method for carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites was developed. Riveting, tensile, and fatigue tests were conducted on CFRP gasket‐bush riveted joints. Results show that the gasket prevents rivet pull‐out in this method and effectively reduces riveting damage in the CFRP laminate. Under tensile loading, specimens with thinner bushes exhibited better tensile performance. The tensile peak loads of the two thin‐bush groups increased by 21.65% and 16.09%, respectively, compared with the thick‐bush group. The gasket contributes to load bearing, enhancing the tensile performance of the joint. The primary failure mode is excessive bearing damage, accompanied by severe fiber tearing. Fatigue life increases significantly with decreasing bush thickness, reaching 1.4 and 18 times that of the thick‐bush group, respectively. The fatigue failure mode of the joints is characterized by bearing damage in the CFRP. In addition, rivet tilting leads to a more uneven stress distribution around the CFRP hole, thereby aggravating damage. Consequently, surface deterioration occurs, accompanied by a sudden increase in displacement. Increasing the contact area between the gasket and the CFRP laminate is recommended to enhance structural stability and improve overall joint performance.