Abstract: Aiming at the damage problem of carbon fiber reinforced polymer（CFRP） and metal bonding and self-piercing riveted hybrid joint process, a numerical simulation model of bonding and self-piercing riveted forming process was established based on the theoretical model, and the research was carried out. In order to explore the effect of rivet hardness on the damage mechanism of CFRP and 6061-T6 aluminum alloy bonding and self-piercing riveted hybrid joints, semi-hollow rivets with hardnesses of H4 and H2 were used for experimental analysis. The aim was to compare and analyze the hardening effect, internal stress distribution and interlayer stiffness degradation of rivet joints with different hardness values. The results indicate that the plastic deformation of the rivets varies with their hardness, the H4 rivet joint exhibits a superior hardening effect compared to the H2 rivet joint, while also experiences relatively low strength loss. Damage of the hybrid joint is concentrated in the region directly below the rivet, with H4 rivet joints demonstrating smaller intralayer and interlayer damage ranges and better forming quality compared to H2 rivet joints. Additionally, the lay-up design of laminates influences the interlayer damage distribution of the mixed joint, particularly for laminates with a 0°/45°/90°/-45°_slay-up design, where the interlayer damage propagation direction is more closely related to the laying direction of the underlying fiber.