Experimental Investigation on the Low Velocity Impact Response of Fibre Foam Metal Laminates

The combination of fibre metal laminates (FML) and sandwich structures can significantly increase the performance under impact of FMLs. The goal of this work was to create a material that will combine the superior properties of FMLs and foam sandwich structures in terms of the impact resistance and simultaneously have lower density and fewer disadvantages related to the manufacturing. An extensive impact testing campaign has been done using conventional fibre metal laminates (carbon- and glass-based) and in the proposed fibre foam metal laminates to assess and compare their behaviour. The main difference was observed in the energy absorption mechanisms. The dominant failure mechanism for fibre foam laminates is the formation of delaminations and matrix cracks while in the conventional fibre metal laminate the main failure mode is fibre cracking due to high local stress concentrations. The reduction in the fibre cracking leads to a better after-impact resistance of this type of structure improving the safety of the structures manufactured with these materials.

Automated summary

By combining fibre metal laminates (FML) with sandwich structures, the impact performance of FMLs can be significantly improved by enhancing energy absorption mechanisms. The failure mechanism of fibre foam laminates mainly involves delaminations and matrix cracks, while conventional fibre metal laminates primarily experience fibre cracking due to high stress concentrations. This difference leads to a better after-impact resistance of fibre foam metal laminates, improving the safety of structures manufactured with these materials.