High efficiency load transfer in composite structure

摘要

Thin perforated sheets of titanium are interleaved between adjacently situated graphite/epoxy plies-in the area where metal fittings are to be installed. Epoxy flows through these perforations so as to achieve a gripping mechanism between the titanium sheet and the graphite/epoxy plies. The result is efficient transfer of load in the titanium to the composite fiber materials without suffering the cost penalty of extensive graphite/epoxy buildups (without interleaved titanium sheets). Epoxy plugs within the titanium sheet perforations bond to confronting surfaces of the graphite/epoxy plies and provide a fail safe gripping mechanism between the titanium sheet and adjacent graphite/epoxy plies to allow for the load transfer between the titanium sheet and the graphite/epoxy plies in the unlikely event that the shear bond between the faces of the titanium sheet and the graphite/epoxy plies becomes completely disbonded.