Impact Behaviour of Nano-Hybrid (Carbon/Glass) Fibre Metal Laminates: An Experimental Study

Fibre metal laminates (FMLs) can be widely used in structural (automobile, aerospace industries, etc.) applications where performance enhancement (FMLs provide good impact and fatigue resistance, etc.) and cost effectiveness play a vital role. Hybridization (glass/carbon) of FMLs may result in performance enhancement and improved longevity when subjected to various loading conditions. Therefore, in the present study Charpy test was carried out using 300 J Charpy hammer according to ASTM E-23 in flat-wise orientation to understand the influence of 1wt% of alumina (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles reinforcement on impact response of hybrid FMLs. Mean particle size of Al2O3(5.1 nm), ZrO2(25.3 nm), TiO2(63.2 nm) was estimated with the help of X-ray diffraction analysis using Scherer equation. It is observed from the results that hybridization of GLARE (glass laminate aluminium-reinforced epoxy) enhanced the impact strength by 2.4%, but degradation of 0.9%, 1.4%, 1.8% is noticed in Al2O3-, ZrO2-, TiO2-reinforced hybrid FMLs, respectively. Maximum impact strength was identified in Al2O3-reinforced hybrid FMLs when compared to other nano-hybrid FMLs. Nanoparticles dispersion in the matrix, interface region and fractured surface morphology were analysed using scanning electron microscope. However, it is summarized that the impact response of nano-hybrid FMLs strongly depends on the type of fibre and nanoparticles size introduced in the polymer matrix.

Automated summary

Fibre metal laminates (FMLs) play a vital role in structural applications, offering improved performance and cost effectiveness. This study investigates the impact response of hybrid FMLs reinforced with nanoparticles, finding that the hybridization of glass/carbon FMLs enhances impact strength, while the addition of alumina, zirconium oxide, and titanium oxide nanoparticles leads to some degradation. The size and dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix significantly affect the impact response of FMLs.