Abstract: The analysis models of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy laminates with cylindrical and step shape preembedded metal part are built based on the application of embedded metal part in composite laminates. The single layer in the laminates is assumed as three dimensional orthotropic material. The stress analysis of the laminates with embedded metal part which is simply supported is carried out by finite element method. The distributions of material principal direction stresses of the damaged single layers and the von mises stress of metal parts are given. The ultimate loads of the composite laminates are determined based on the strength criterion of maximum stress. It is shown that the initial damage of the laminates with cylindrical shape pre-embedded metal part occurs at about two o'clock location near the central hole border in the 45° layer, and the damage mode is matrix crack under shearing. The initial damage of the laminates with step shape pre-embedded metal part occurs at about ten o'clock location near the central hole border in –45° layer. Under normal loading, the ultimate load of the laminates increases by 40. 36% when the cylindrical metal part is replaced by the step metal part, which is due to the increase of the force transfer area and bigger percentage of fibers under desirable tension state.

Key words: carbon fiber, composite material, laminates, pre-embedded metal part, strength analysis