Mechanical behavior of AL/CFRP single-lap joint subjected to combined thermal and constant loading

This research aimed to investigate the effect of constant loading coupled with elevated temperature on the mechanical behavior of single-lap joints (SLJs) with aluminum alloy (AL) and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The aging tests of adhesive and AL/CFRP SLJs were completed under the combined thermal and constant loading environment. Then, the quasi-static axial tensile tests were accomplished. The results showed the insignificant effect of temperature condition on the strength degradation behavior of SLJ; whereas constant loading coupled with temperature condition exhibited a significant influence. Meanwhile, the results also showed that the adhesive and SLJ had the same trend in strength degradation: the failure strength increased with the prolonged aging time under the temperature-only condition, whereas the failure strength increased first and then decreased with prolonged aging time under the combined thermal and constant loading environment.