Development of thermal residual strains in a single sided composite patch

The use of composite patching to reinforce aircraft structure is on the inc rease as it offers advantages over those of rivet fastened metal patches in application. The objective of this research is to determine the thermal re sidual strains in graphite/epoxy composites on Al-2024 T3 substrate. To rea lize this, four specimens were produced, of which one was instrumented by b onding several strain gauges on the patch and Al-substrate. Thermal and the rmal residual strains were measured as a function of operating temperatures via those gauges. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.