An experimental investigation of deformation and fatigue behavior of coach peel riveted joints

Monotonic and fatigue strengths of coach peel pop rivet (CPPR) and coach peel self-piercing rivet (CPSPR) joined specimens of aluminum alloy with different plate thickness combinations were investigated. The CPSPR specimens also had epoxy bond as a part of the joint. Fatigue tests were performed in load-control and with load ratio, R=Pmin/Pmax, ranging between 0.1 and 0.75. It was observed that plate thickness combination has a significant effect on the ultimate monotonic strength of CPPR joints, but is not the only factor that affects the ultimate strength of CPSPR joints. The ultimate strengths of the CPSPR joints are lower than those of the CPPR joints with the same thickness combinations, and their failure locations depend on the thickness combinations of the joined plates under monotonic loading. However, the overall fatigue performance of the CPSPR joints is better than that of the CPPR specimens with the same thickness combinations. Fatigue crack formation locations and growth paths depend on plate thickness combinations, applied load level, and load ratio for both CPPR and CPSPR joints.