Experimental investigation on low velocity impact of a novel fibre metal laminate (fml) tube

Abstract

The experimental study of new tubular type of Fibre Metal Laminate (FML) with braided fibreglass sleeve and aluminium alloy tubes was performed and its manufacturing process was proposed. Aluminium tubes was machined to specific thickness and chemically treated to improve the adhesive bonding. Sleeve type braided fibreglass was selected as it comes in specific dimension and more importantly it is seamless and perfectly produces an excellent composite tube. Tubes carefully assembled to form 2/1 and 3/2 layup configurations and highly adhesive resin was introduced as interlayer, which is composed of two layers of aluminium tubes and one layer of fibreglass braided sleeve in between for 2/1 layup. The new design tube was tested to evaluate the behaviour and impact characteristics under low velocity axial impact loading, where its intended purpose of application. This tube crushed progressively and was able to avoid catastrophic failure. The results also indicate that the mechanical performance of the new FML tube could be applied as a new and efficient energy absorber.