Phenomena of forming and failure in joining hybrid structures – Experimental and numerical studies of clinching thermoplastic composites and metal

This paper describes the influence of the process temperature and die design on the material structure as well as the load carrying capacity of clinched metal-glass fibre reinforced thermoplastics (GFRP) components. It also discusses approaches for a simulation-based process development to identify an appropriate heating strategy and the associated process parameters. The heat is initiated in a defined area around the joining zone with the aim of a controlled softening of the thermoplastic matrix, which occurs close to the melting temperature, ensuring low-damage fibre displacement during the clinching process. The evaluation of joining-induced fibre damage is carried out with the aid of microscopy analysis.This paper describes the influence of the process temperature and die design on the material structure as well as the load carrying capacity of clinched metal-glass fibre reinforced thermoplastics (GFRP) components. It also discusses approaches for a simulation-based process development to identify an appropriate heating strategy and the associated process parameters. The heat is initiated in a defined area around the joining zone with the aim of a controlled softening of the thermoplastic matrix, which occurs close to the melting temperature, ensuring low-damage fibre displacement during the clinching process. The evaluation of joining-induced fibre damage is carried out with the aid of microscopy analysis.