Influence of structural characteristics on the interlaminar shear strength of CFRP/Al fibre metal laminates

High mechanical characteristics, such as impact and fatigue resistance, coupled with low weight can be obtained combining metal sheets and composite laminates; in this way a new hybrid material is obtained: the FML (Fibre Metal Laminate). In the present paper, an analysis of the influence of both composite/metal interface and layer thickness on ILSS (InterLaminar Shear Strength) of a carbon fibre composite and aluminium FML is presented. In particular, two different interfaces were studied: one obtained with a structural adhesive and the other with the prepreg resin; as concerns the layer thickness, both one and two aluminium sheets were considered in laminate stacking, maintaining constant the metal/composite volume ratio. The produced laminates were tested following the short beam three-point bending standard, in such a manner the ILSS properties can be highlighted. From the test carried out for this work it can be concluded that the most influencing factor was the presence of the structural adhesive, while the number of metal sheets was unaffecting. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Gruppo Italiano Frattura (IGF) ExCo.