Ballistic impact response and failure mechanism of aluminum/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber laminates with different adhesive quantity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of metal-composite interface (MCI) adhesive quantity on the energy absorption and failure behavior of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) under ballistic impact. The dynamic shear and ballistic impact tests were systematically conducted, and CT scan was employed to quantitatively investigate the damage and failure mechanisms of the FMLs.The results reveal that the dynamic shear strength of MCI initially increases and then remains constant with the increase in the adhesive quantity at a constant strain rate. Moreover, the MCI adhesive quantity has a certain influence on the impact energy absorption of FMLs, and the degree of influence is related to the impact velocity. At an impact velocity of 360 m/s, the difference of energy absorption is maximal, approximately 14.7%. The distribution of total debonding area changes with increase in the adhesive quantity. When the impact velocity is 212 m/s, compared to FMLs with the lowest adhesive quantity, the total debonding area of FMLs with the highest adhesive quantity decreases by 774.57 mm 2 (9.20%), otherwise the debonding area near the rear aluminum alloy sheet increases by 595.94 mm 2 (58.99%). K E Y W O R D Sadhesive quantity, ballistic impact, failure mechanism, fiber metal laminates, metal-composite interface, split Hopkinson tie bar | INTRODUCTIONFiber metal laminates (FMLs) are hybrid composites containing metal alloys and fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs). [1,2] Combining the merits of both FRCs and metal alloys, FMLs not only exhibit high specific strength, specific stiffness, and excellent fatigue characteristics but also show outstanding load bearing capacity, impact resistance, and residual strength. [3][4][5] Therefore, FMLs are widely used in the aviation industry, such as wings, fuselage, and empennage of aircrafts, [6][7][8] and they also exhibit immense application potential in transportation, [9] armor protection, [10] and other fields.The mechanical properties of FMLs are primarily governed by the type of reinforcement fiber. [7] Currently, carbon fiber, glass fiber, and aramid fiber are mainly used as the reinforcement fibers in FMLs. [11] Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber is a highperformance fiber with high modulus, low density, and outstanding energy absorption capacity. Therefore, it is extensively applied in the development of protective armors for soldiers and other military fields. [12][13][14] Over

Experimental investigation of impact resistance and compression behavior of CF/PEEK laminates after hot‐press fusion repair with different stacking sequences

“…In recent decades, extensive research work has been done on impact resistance and damage tolerance of composite structures. [17][18][19][20] The compression after impact (CAI) residual strength has also been extensively studied to evaluate the post-impact integrity of composite structures, [21][22][23][24][25] which is crucial in the design and fabrication of composite structures. Belingardi et al 17,26 graphically present the history of kinematics, dynamics, and energetic quantities, and synthesizes the dependence of energy parameters and force threshold on the impact velocity.…”

“…The LVI could induce damage to the composites in the form of delamination, matrix cracking, debonding, and fiber breakage. In recent decades, extensive research work has been done on impact resistance and damage tolerance of composite structures 17–20 . The compression after impact (CAI) residual strength has also been extensively studied to evaluate the post‐impact integrity of composite structures, 21–25 which is crucial in the design and fabrication of composite structures.…”