Enhancement and Characteristics Evaluation of Fibre Metal Laminate Composed of Woven Glass Fibre and Nano-Alumina via Hand Layup Method

Abstract

Advanced hybrid materials are in high demand across multiple engineering sectors like aviation, construction, automotive, and sports due to their improved specific strength, reduced weight, enhanced ductility, and favourable thermo-mechanical characteristics. The objective of this study is to improve the mechanical properties of fibre metal laminate (FML) using woven glass fibre and nano-alumina in a cost-effective hand layup process involving compressive action, which will result in a better interfacial mechanism between the laminates. The Final FML is comprised of woven glass fibre (GF) in quantities of 200, 400, and 610 GSM, combined with alumina (Al₂O₃) at 1, 3, and 5% weights, arranged in single, double, and triple layers bonded with epoxy resin, and then enclosed in aluminium alloy with a thickness of 0.8 mm. The actions of GF, Al₂O₃, and layering on tensile, flexural and impact strength of aluminium alloy-woven glass fibre-reinforced plastic (Al-GFRP) FML is studied. A triple layer makes the FML with 3 wt% of Al₂O₃ for 200, 400, and 610 GSM are recorded as maximum tensile, flexural and impact strength behaviour. More than 3 wt% of Al₂O₃ incorporated triple layer FML is recorded as reduced mechanical behaviour. Furthermore, the FML featuring triple-layer construction with 610 GSM glass fibre/3% Al₂O₃ and an aluminium alloy laminate demonstrates maximum tensile, impact, and flexural strength values of 258 MPa, 5.4 J, and 278 MPa, respectively. These conditions are conducive to the deep drawing process, which plays a crucial role in improving the formability and structural integrity of FMLs, thereby enhancing their overall performance and utilized for automotive roof frame applications.