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This full-day course presented by our own internationally recognised composites engineering consultant and trainer, Dr Rik Heslehurst, combines design theory with practical demonstrations to make the decision on the best joint design and fabrication required to achieve the highest joint performance in composite structures. It will be conducted at PARTEC and Composites Training Centre, Brisbane, Queensland.
Course outline
Dr Rik Heslehurst Click the image to read Rik’s bio
When joining composite structures we have three principle choices. We either bolt or bond or weld the structure (we can also do a combination of two). The decision to bolt or bond or weld the structure requires careful and focused attention. What needs to be considered? Several factors drive the decision, such as: structural thickness, materials being used (glass, aramid, carbon, etc.), fibre orientation and stiffness, environmental, loads, etc.
Bonding of composite structures is not a trivial matter. While the typical joint efficiencies of bonded composite structures should be greater than 100%, there are several matters that must be considered and indeed well understood to realise the high joint efficiencies achievable.
The design of the adhesively bonded joint uses the orthotropic solid engineering properties to determine joint adhesive strength and overlap length. This is the science of adhesive joint design. The art is related to more local effects pertaining to the ply layup configuration, the edge effects (peel), the taper arrangement, etc. These detailed design aspects will either enhance the global joint design, or significantly reduce the joint efficiency.
Bolting a composite structure requires a very different approach to bolting metallic structures. While the principals are the same there is significant care required and a sound understanding of composite materials and ply configuration needed. The orientation of plies and stacking sequence has significant effects on structural efficiency of bolted composite joints. This seminar will address all of them.
Welding of composite structures can also be done, but is typically a more specialised form of joining composite materials and is essential very similar to adhesive bonding. However, some of the important production and design aspects of welding composite structures will be considered in this seminar
Course schedule
08.30 Registration desk opens
09:00 Introduction and overview of composite materials and joining processes
– Constituent materials and their influence on the joint design and fabrication
– Laminated structures and their role in joint design and fabrication
– Advantages and disadvantages of each joining method
10:00 Adhesive bonding of composites
– The adhesive selection
– Do’s and don’ts of bonding composites
– Design requirements and stress analysis
– Critical fabrication issues
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Bolting and riveting composites
– Bolt types and selection
– Do’s and don’ts of bolting composites
– Design requirements and stress analysis
– Critical fabrication issues
15:30 Composite welding
– Is it really welding?
– Design requirements and stress analysis
– Critical fabrication issues
16:30 Summary
So which process do I use? Do I bond, bolt or weld my composite components?
17:00 Finish
Practical demonstrations
• Surface preparation and curing age (green strength)
• Hole drilling and clamp-up
• Hot glue gun
Click here to download the event flyer
