The Effective Friction Coefficient of a Laminate Composite, and Analysis of Pin-Loaded Plates

Abstract

A calculation method based on M-CLT (Modified Classical Lamination Theory) for the friction coefficient of a CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) composite laminate edge is proposed. It is derived based on experimental friction coefficients in unidirectional off-axis laminae and a high-order algebraic equation from a numerical solution to the specific boundary for the frictional contact problem. A numerical experiment of a frictional contact problem is also performed by means of a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element analysis and the results are compared with those obtained from the M-CLT method for various contact directions. Good agreement is found between the two sets of results. Finally, the friction coefficient derived by using the M-CLT method is applied to a two-dimensional contact stress analysis of a pin-loaded composite laminate. The effects of the method used to calculate the friction coefficient on the contact stress distribution are investigated.