Interfacial fracture toughness of polyester-based fiber-metal laminates with primary contact and secondary adhesive bonding

The interfacial fracture toughness of polyester-based fiber-metal laminates (FML) which consisted of thin layers of aluminum alloy and fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite was discussed. The two types of FML used in the study were based on primary contact bonding at the bi-material interfaces and secondary adhesive bonding. It was observed that deformation and fracture of the adhesive layer were responsible for higher interfacial fracture energy. Results show that the heating-stamping manufacturing process has potential for high volume production of low cost thermoset-based FMLs with a tough ethylene-based thermoplastic film adhesive at the bi-material interface which ensured high interfacial fracture toughness.