High cycles fatigue damage of CFRP plates clamped by bolts for axial coupling joint with off-set angle during rotation

This study discussed the change of residual fracture torque and the fatigue damage process of thin CFRP plates clamped by bolts for axial coupling joint, in which flexible deformation was allowed in the direction of off-set angle by the deflection of the CFRP plates while effective stiffness was obtained in rotational direction. Mechanically laminated 4 layers of the CFRP plates were repeatedly deflected during the rotation of axial coupling, when two axes were jointed with 3 degree of off-set angle, in which number of revolution was 1,800 rpm (30Hz of loading frequency). At first, the fracture morphology of specimen and the residual fracture torque was investigated after 1.0×107 cycles of repeated revolutions. The reduction ratio of spring constant was also determined by simple bending test after the fatigue. The residual fracture torque of the joint was determined on the rotational test machine after 1.0×107 cycles of fatigue. After rotations of cyclic fatigue, fiber breaking and wear of matrix were observed around the fixed parts compressed by washers for setting bolts. The reduction of spring constant of the CFRP plates was caused by the initiation of cyclic fatigue damages around the fixed parts, when the axial coupling joint was rotated with off-set angle. It was found that residual fracture torque of the joint was related with the specific fatigue damage of the CFRP observed in this study.