Predicting shear performance of Co-cured CFRP composite joints with covered lamination: an artificial neural network and optimization approach

Co-curing, a highly efficient bonding technique, is key to joining similar and dissimilar materials in aerospace, aircraft, and marine applications. This research delves into the shear strength of co-cured CFRP composite joints fabricated using the covered lamination technique with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified adhesive. The experimental results revealed that the incorporation of 0.25 wt.% MWCNT-modified adhesive into the covered lamination with a co-cured CFRP composite joint resulted in a shear strength of 25.95 MPa. This value represents a substantial increase of 80% compared to the pure epoxy-based joint and a remarkable 119% increase compared to the neat joint. The practical implications of these findings are significant, as they can enhance the performance and reliability of structures in various applications. Finally, the shear performance was accurately predicted using the Levenberg Marquardt Artificial neural network model and optimised using the least square fit method.