Evaluation of mechanical properties and Fick’s diffusion behaviour of aluminum-DMEM reinforced with hemp/bamboo/basalt woven fiber metal laminates (WFML) under different stacking sequences

Abstract

This work examines the mechanical properties and structural aspects of Al-Hybrid fibre metal laminates (HFMLs) reinforced with fibres from basalt, hemp, and bamboo, including commercial-grade Al6061 alloy mesh (Al-DMEM). Compression moulding of sustainable fibres into various stacking configurations, such as BAlB, BHAlHB, and BBbAlBbB, was required for fabrication. Using cutting-edge methods like SEM and EDX for microstructure investigation, extensive testing was carried out, including tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear, hardness, and water absorption tests. Basalt/Bamboo/Aluminum/Basalt (BBbAlBbB) was the FML configuration with the best mechanical parameters, showing Vickers hardness (24.23 MPa), tensile strength (44.537 MPa), flexural strength (218.24 MPa), and impact resistance (2.01 J) (59.982 HV). In addition, BAlB showed 83.9 % Vickers hardness, 41.7 % flexural strength, and 90.4 % tensile strength of BBbAlBbB samples. BHAlHB displayed 92.9 % of the flexural strength, 65.3 % of the tensile strength, and 93.7 % of the Vickers hardness of BBbAlBbB. Bamboo is hydrophobic by nature, so adding bamboo fibres to BBbAlBbB significantly boosted its resistance to moisture. This study highlights the potential of hybrid FMLs as high-performance, eco friendly materials that are particularly well-suited for applications in interior and exterior panels for micro-mobility (E-vehicles), with AL-DMEM reinforcement offering significant benefits like improved fibre bonding and structural integrity.