TWO-STAGE COMPOSITE MATERIAL JOINT

摘要

The two-step composite joint has improved strength to withstand both axial and bending loads and comprises two articles (3;6) each comprising a filler layer (15; 30) disposed between first and second composite layers (12,18;24,27). An end section (39) of the first article's first composite layer (12) is disposed external to, overlapping and bonded to an end section (42) of the second article's first composite layer (24) to form a first overlap (45). An end section (54) of the second article's second composite layer (27) is disposed internal to, overlapping and bonded to an end section (51) of the first article's second composite layer (18) to form a second overlap (57). The first overlap (45) is displaced across the thickness and along the length of the joint (9) from the second overlap (57). Loads are transferred across the joint (9) from first layer (12) to first layer (24) and from second layer (18) to second layer (27).