The Effects of Seawater Immersion on the Bearing Strength of Woven-Glass–Epoxy Prepreg Pin-Loaded Joints

This study considers the bearing strengths and failure modes of woven-glass–epoxy prepreg composite mechanically fastened joints. For the study, the specimens were immersed in natural seawater in the laboratory for over 1 year. The edge distance-to-hole diameter ( E/ D) ratio and the specimen width-to-hole-diameter ratio ( W/ D) were systematically altered during experiments. Failure modes were determined by observing the failure regions on the specimens. Damage progression in pin-loaded specimens prepared from woven-glass–epoxy prepreg was also examined using a scanning electron microscopy for three different percentages of ultimate failure load. According to the experimental investigation results, it was observed that the bearing load values obtained from the specimens immersed in seawater decreased considerably in comparison to unimmersed specimens.