Tensile Strength of Al/ABS-CFRP Joint Reinforced by Nickel Coated Carbon Fiber Cloth

Abstract

A new method with extremely large friction force by broad interface of carbon fiber (CF:6 µm-diameter) cloth coated by nickel (Ni) to control Al₄C₃ formation rate and to enhance the ability of fiber rapping by molten Al have been suggested for a joint (Al/cloth/ABS-CFRP) of carbon fiber reinforced ABS polymer (ABS-CFRP) and aluminum (Al). The new joint part was strengthened by impregnated nickel-coated carbon fiber cloth. The Al/cloth/ABS-CFRP joint exhibited the high values of the initial and maximum elasticity ((dσ/dε)_i and (dσ/dε)_m), as well as the tensile strength (σ_b) of Al/cloth/ABS-CFRP (8.38 MPa), which was 5.3 and 16.1 times higher than that of Al/Glue/ABS and Al/ABS, respectively. Based on the XRD analysis and EPMA observation, aluminum carbide could not be detected. Consequently, the new joint method by using carbon fiber cloth remarkably enhanced the safety level with lightweight and high resistance to fracture of airplane.