Hybrid Single Lap Joints between 3D Printed Titanium Lattices and CFRP Composites: Experimental and Numerical Insights

Abstract

In the contemporary emphasis on weight reduction, the utilization of advanced materials like Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) and cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing of metal is increasingly crucial. This study delves into the junction of CFRP and titanium, aiming to conduct Single Lap shear tests on specimens featuring a co-lamination of long fiber composite onto a metal lattice structure. Different specimens with different dimensions of the Simple Cubic (SC) unit cell were subjected to testing. A microscope investigation facilitated an exploration of junction failure and epoxy resin infiltration into the lattice substrate. Employing an efficient 2D Finite Element Model, the homogenization process yielded theoretical models underestimating the Young Modulus by approximately 10% compared to real specimens. Despite the challenges in bonding titanium and CFRP, the novel junction exhibited a shear stress of 17.25 MPa, which is nearly equivalent to those of a co-lamination between sandblasted steel and CFRP, that is 17.15 MPa.