Fabrication of Cost Effective Fiber Metal Laminates Based on Jute and Glass Fabrics for Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This research focuses on the mechanical behavior of cost-effective novel hybrid fiber metal laminates (FMLs) based on aluminum (Al) 1050 alloy and jute/glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The effects of the stacking sequence and relative fiber amounts have been investigated. Specimens were fabricated using hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding. Results revealed that the reinforcement hybridization can potentially improve the tensile and flexural properties of FMLs based on jute fabric. The flexural strength of FMLs based on jute fabric has been improved when partial laminas from jute/epoxy laminate are replaced by glass/epoxy laminas. Also, it is realized that the incorporation of high strength fibers to the composite core leads to higher tensile properties but lower flexural resistance.