On the feasibility of friction spot joining in magnesium/fiber-reinforced polymer composite hybrid structures

l In the present study, the feasibility of the friction spot joining technique on magnesium AZ31-O/glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) joints is addressed. The thermo-mechanical phenomena associated with the friction spot joining process promoted metallurgical and polymer physical-chemical transformations. These effects resulted in grain refinement by dynamic recrystallization and changes in local (microhardness) and global strength (lap shear). Friction spot lap joints with elevated mechanical performance (20-28 MPa) were produced without surface pre-treatment. This preliminary investigation has successfully shown that friction spot joining is an alternative technology for producing hybrid polymer-metal structures. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.