Restoration of tensile properties in cracked aluminum specimens via composite patching
Touam Lakhemissi, Billel Rebai, Derfouf Semcheddine, Messas Tidjani
Abstract
This study investigates the tensile behavior and crack repair of aluminum using fiberglass-reinforced composite patches. Tensile testing compared uncracked, pre-cracked, and repaired aluminum specimens. Pre-cracking by hole drilling decreased strength and ductility from stress concentrations. Composite patching recovered strength, with 4-ply laminates optimal. Uncracked samples failed by necking, pre-cracked by crack growth, and repaired by adhesive detachment. Results demonstrate composite patching effectively restores strength to cracked aluminum by mitigating stress concentrations when appropriately designed. Finite element modeling simulated stress reduction after patching. This work provides experimental data on composite patch performance for metal crack repair and confirms the approach as an effective strengthening technique, although further optimization is needed.