Impact of Assembly Method on the Strength of Single-Lap Joints of Aircraft Aluminum Alloy Sheets

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the strength properties of single-lap assembly joints. Single-lap joints are commonly used in various structures because of their strength properties. Three types of joints, widely used in modern structures, were prepared and tested: adhesive, rivet, and hybrid adhesive-rivet joints. The experiments were carried out using aluminum alloy EN AW-2024, a structural material used in aviation. In the adhesive joints, the substrates were joined using a two-component epoxy adhesive composed of Epidian 53 epoxy resin and polymide curing agent (PAC) – Epidian 53/PAC/100:80. The rivet joints were formed using steel-aluminum blind rivets. The rivets were arranged in four different configurations. One of the very important structural factors considered when designing single-lap assembly joints is overlap length. In the present study, two overlap lengths were tested: 12 mm and 20 mm. The assembly joints were subjected to strength tests. Tensile-shear strength was determined. The results were analyzed statistically