Effect of metal type on the energy absorption of fiber metal laminates under low-velocity impact

Abstract

The energy dissipation mechanisms during impact including damage evolution and plastic deformation of FMLs with different metal layers named aluminum and magnesium was experimentally and numerically studied. A 3D failure criterion for composite damage evolution was developed. The impact energy of the FMLs was mostly dissipated by metal layers, where the plastic dissipation energy of each aluminum layer in aluminum-based FMLs was distinctly higher than that of magnesium layer in magnesium-based FMLs. Replacing aluminum in FMLs with magnesium leads to faster perforation and passive energy dissipation, but will also reduce delamination damage at metal-composite interface due to smaller plastic deformation.