12 - Impact resistance and damage of fiber metal laminates

Abstract

Impact resistance and damage tolerance is one of the most attractive features of fiber metal laminates (FMLs). Adhesive connection of elastic–plastic metal and stiff fibrous composite provides excellent energy absorption and relatively low damage, especially after low-velocity impact. However, some damage occurs in laminate. Frequently, barely visible impact damage is associated with internal damaged area of the composite and composite–metal interphase, with numerous delaminations, matrix cracks, fiber fracture, and metal failure. However, there are many factors influencing the damage of FMLs under low-velocity impact such as type of metal and fibers, fibers arrangement, and impact conditions. The ways to improve their properties to withstand this type of loading could be of particular importance in aerospace structures and other applications. The methods of impact examinations, quantitative impact resistance determination, damage assessment, and numerical calculations of damage prediction of different FMLs will be discussed.