Evaluation of Damage to Carbon-fibre Composites Induced by Self-pierce Riveting

The damages to fibre-reinforced plastics induced by the self-pierce riveting process are to be analysed and evaluated in a research project. A method was developed for the preparation of test specimens depicting the solid self-pierce riveting process, which allows the evaluation in X-ray computed tomography of defects such as delamination. Correlations of process influences and material variants are determined with the damage so that they can be minimized. In quasi-static and cyclic tests the extent of damage on laminate strength and load carrying capacity of joints will be investigated.