One of the issues with the widespread use of polymer matrix composites in marine applications is their high susceptibility to environmental degradation, particularly hygrothermal conditions. Therefore, the present research intends to contribute to the better protection of the marine polymer matrix composites through the introduction of a newly developed fiber metal laminate for marine applications. This type of fiber metal laminate consists of a marine aluminum alloy of 5083 alternating with glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite layers. In order to evaluate the characterization of the environmental durability of this novel material, the specimens made of fiber metal laminates as well as commercial woven glass–epoxy composites were exposed to hygrothermal aging and hygrothermal cycling in boiling salt water. Then, to study the structural degradation caused by exposure to salt water, the mechanical properties of fiber metal laminate and woven glass–epoxy specimens under three-point bending and impact loading were evaluated. Results show that exposure to the saline environment generally decreased the flexural strength of woven glass–epoxy and fiber metal laminate specimens, whereas a smaller deterioration in flexural stiffness of both laminate types was found. Moreover, it was observed that the hygrothermal conditioning in salt water did not affect significantly the impact properties of both the fiber metal laminate and woven glass–epoxy specimens as compared to the flexural properties.
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