Enhancing the performance of bolted joints in composites by use of patched steel or titanium inserts

A new insert concept that interlaces metal inserts into composite laminates has earlier been shown to improve the relatively poor bearing strength of holes in fibre reinforced polymer composites, and it is here further and more thoroughly investigated. The concept was invented to increase the efficiency of joints with mechanical fasteners in composite materials and this work presents experiments on double-bolt joints with inserts made of either stainless steel or a titanium (Ti) alloy. In particular the work compares different implementations of the insert concept by reinforcing one or two holes in double bolt joints, and the effect of using different metals in the inserts. Some complementary tests on pin-loaded specimens and open hole tensile specimens are also performed and compared, partly with results that were reported previously. Considerable improvements of the bearing load capacity are attained, i.e. 50%-60% for steel and 35%-45% for Ti, compared to references. The open-hole tensile strength is also improved considerably (almost 30%) when the holes are reinforced with Ti inserts. The fact that the inserts can improve not only the bearing strength but also the performance in open-hole tension implies that the Ti inserts bring nothing but positive effects to the strength of the joints. The test results from single-shear double-bolt specimens with inserts at one hole showed improved strengths of 30% and 20% for specimens with steel and Ti inserts, respectively. Finally, an impressive strength improvement of 40-45% is achieved for single-shear double-bolt specimens having both holes reinforced with inserts of either steel or Ti.