Evaluation of tensile properties of fiber metal laminates under different strain rates

There has been an ever-going need for materials containing excellent mechanical properties, lower density, and improved fuel efficiency in the aerospace industry. To date, Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs) are a prime choice for aerospace applications. The components of aircraft are subjected to various mechanical loadings under operating conditions; therefore, an in-depth understanding of material behavior under expected loading conditions is imperative for the meticulous design and manufacturing of these components. To evaluate the tensile behavior of the FMLs containing Aluminum 7075-T6 sheets as a metallic phase was the primary aim of this study. Furthermore, the manufactured composites were treated with the processes including surface de-greasing, mechanical abrasion, and anodizing. In order to perform mechanical characterization, uniaxial tensile tests were conducted at various strain rates 2×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, 5×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 8×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. The FMLs were fabricated through vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The results revealed that FMLs based different combinations of the fiber and metal constituents exhibited a low degree of strain rate-sensitivity. In the case of CARALL, 1.7% increase in tensile strength was observed, and, its tensile strength was increased from 741 MPa to 754 MPa. Whereas, ARALL and GLARE laminates exhibited high degree of strain rate-sensitivity. When the strain rate is increased from 2×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, 5×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 8×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ the values are increased in the following patterns: 389 MPa, 411 MPa, and 475 MPa for GLARE laminates, and 253 MPa, 298 MPa 352 MPa for ARALL laminates. Thus, 39% and 22% increase in the tensile strengths were noted for ARALL and GLARE laminates, respectively.