Critical Influence of Rivet Head Height on Corrosion Performance of CFRP/Aluminum Self-Piercing Riveted Joints

This study investigates how rivet head height affects the corrosion performance of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to aluminum alloy self-piercing riveted joints. Specimens with two different head heights were prepared. A rivet head protruding out of the top CFRP laminate forms the proud head height while a rivet head penetrating into the top CFRP generates the flush head height. The salt spray test evaluated corrosion performance. The flush head joints suffered from severe corrosion on the rivet head. Thus, the tensile shear load of flush head joints was substantially reduced. Electrochemical corrosion tests investigated the corrosion mechanisms. The deeper indentation of the flush head height damaged the CFRP around the rivet head. The exposure of damaged fibers from the matrix increased the cathodic potential of local CFRP. The increased potential of damaged CFRP accelerated the galvanic corrosion of the rivet head. After the rivet head coating material corroded, a strong galvanic couple was formed between the rivet head base metal (boron steel) and the damaged CFRP, further accelerating the flush rivet head corrosion. The results of this study suggest that rivet head flushness should be avoided to enhance the corrosion performance of CFRP to aluminum alloy self-piercing riveted joints.