The Impact Resistance of Thermoplastic Fiber-Metal Laminates Based on Glass And Basalt Fibers

Abstract

In an attempt to reduce the elevated processing temperature and pressure required for a prolonged period for consolidation of components made from prepreg in conventional fiber metal laminates (FMLs), thermoplastic matrix FMLs, known as TFMLs, have recently been introduced. The present work is an experimental study on the low velocity impact response of a TFML based on thin layers of an aluminum alloy and a polypropylene (PP) matrix reinforced with basalt fibers. The response of the TFML based on basalt fibers under low velocity impact loading is evaluated, where the effect of varying the stacking configuration of the constituent materials is studied, with the results being compared to those offered by glass fiber/PP reinforced FMLs, basalt/epoxy reinforced FMLs and neat aluminum. The results show that basalt TFMLs behaved better than aluminum plates and glass TFMLs, especially for the energy level causing FC (first crack) due to a greater deformation ability of basalt fiber metal laminates.