Numerical investigation of fatigue behavior of non-patched and patched aluminum/composite plates

In this study, the fatigue behavior of composite patched and non-patched Al 5083 aluminum plates was numerically investigated. Al 5083 Aluminum plates with semi-circular notched (2, 3 and 4 mm long cracked) and "V" notched (30°, 45° and 60° angled) were used in the analyzes. Mechanical properties of Al 5083 Aluminum plate, DP460 type adhesive of produced by 3M and [0°]8 glass fiber reinforced composite patch material was used for the study. The Finite Element Method was applied for numerical study. Numerical analyzes were performed with the Ansys version 15.0 Workbench Package program. As a result of the numerical study, the highest fatigue life (1593.2 N) is seen on the 30° angled "V" notched and patched specimen. However, the fatigue life in non-patched specimen (30° angled "V" notched) was found to be 277.69 N. Thus, the study revealed that the composite patch's contribution is very important.