Flexural Behaviour of CFRP/MG Hybrid Laminates with Different Layers Thickness

Abstract

Three different types of fibre metal laminates (FMLs) with varying layers thickness, consisting of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) prepregs and magnesium alloy sheets, were prepared by a hot-press process. The flexural behaviour of the FMLs were investigated using a three point flexural test method, to investigate the effect of layer thickness on flexural behaviour of FMLs while maintaining a constant metal volume fraction and constant overall thickness in the design process. The results show that the flexural modulus of the FMLs decreases in an almost linear manner with the decrease of layer thicknesses, yet no clear differences were observed in the flexural strength. Decreasing the layer thickness causes the transition of failure zone from compression region to tension region, which results in the appearance of two similar peak stresses.