An experimental investigation on press joining mechanism and bearing behavior of single-lap composite riveted joints

This paper reports an experimental study on the forming mechanism and bearing behavior of single-lap composite riveted joints with different hole diameters (4.82 mm and 4.9 mm) and squeeze forces (15 KN, 18 KN, 20 KN, and 23 KN). Pressure riveting and tensile tests are conducted to composite riveted joints to obtain the joint interference, joint stiffness and bearing strength needed to quantitatively evaluate their deformation features and mechanical properties. Furthermore, microscopic studies on damaged areas using applying ultra-depth three-dimensional microscope to monitor damage evolution are conducted to comprehend the joint shear failure mechanism. Results show that the hole diameter and riveting force have a significant effect on the performance of the joint. The forming damage occurs mainly in the hole wall near the driven head and is dominated by fiber crushing and interfacial shear cracks. The radial expansion of the rivet shank is not uniform under the riveting force and the whole is drum shaped. But the hole expansion of the joint at 4.82 mm hole diameter is more uniform than 4.9 mm, which would lead to better joint stiffness and bearing strength. Moreover, high interference fit would cause the shear fracture of the rivet, while lower interference joints are dominated by compression-pull mixed failure. In general, the size of interference fit is an unneglectable factor in the composite riveted joints that should be thoroughly investigated.