Recent Advances in Joining of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review on Thermoset and Thermoplastic Matrices

초록

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become pivotal in a variety of fields, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and civil engineering, due to their exceptional specific strength, specific stiffness, and design flexibility. Nevertheless, the integration of composite joining technology remains a significant challenge, often representing the most vulnerable aspect of the structure. This paper undertakes a comprehensive review of the principal joining methods-including mechanical joining, gluing, hybrid joining, and co-curing/co-bonding techniques-and outlines recent research trends in this domain. The discussion is further enriched by a detailed examination of typical joining methods for both thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites. The commonly used experimental methods for evaluating joining performance are also summarized, including mechanical testing, microstructural analysis, and interface simulation methods such as those based on finite elements and molecular dynamics. Furthermore, the paper presents real-world engineering applications of these joining techniques across the aerospace, automotive, civil, and energy sectors. The discussion then moves on to address the challenges currently facing bonding technologies, including reliability, durability, quality testing, and scalability. Finally, the discussion considers future directions, including surface modification, reversible gluing technology, and automated hybrid joining processes. The article reviews recent advances in mechanical bonding technologies for fiber-reinforced composites over the past decade and compares joining processes applicable to thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites.

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