Analysis of CFRP/Al hybrid laminates flexural strength

Very high mechanical properties, such as high strength, high damage tolerance and low weight, can be reached by coupling composite laminae and metal sheets: in such a manner a new material is obtained: the Fibre Metal Laminate (FML). The diversification of the thickness and the number of layers is suitable to change the structural properties. In order to analyse the influence of these factors on flexural strength, some types of CFRP/aluminium sheet FMLs were manufactured and their structural properties were investigated by means of three-point bending tests. It was discovered that both the studied elements affected the flexural strength of FML; in particular, this mechanical characteristic decreased with the existence of an adhesive film between the metal sheet and the composite plies, whereas it augmented if only one metal sheet was used instead of two ones. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Gruppo Italiano Frattura (IGF) ExCo.