Translaminar fracture and shear properties of aluminum-mesh hybrid structures for high performance applications

Abstract

Incorporating metals with fiber enhances the efficiency and affordability of composite structures. Furthermore, metal reinforcement improves the material’s resistance to fracture by acting as crack arresters, closing cracks and preventing them from spreading. Thus, this study’s main goal is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical performance of hybrid structures incorporating glass fiber with aluminum mesh. Recognizing the critical role of fiber arrangement in determining the mechanical properties of laminated composites, hybrid specimens with Al-wire mesh positioned at the surface (GAL1) and at the core (GAL2), stacked with glass fibers embedded in epoxy resin, were fabricated using the hand lay-up method and compared to pure glass fiber-reinforced composite (PG). The results showed notable improvement: GAL1 enhanced fracture toughness by 6 % and shear strength by 29.95 % relative to PG, while also exhibiting better damage tolerance and absorbing energy under bearing loads with a strain increased by 5 %. Maximum compressive and ILS strength was attained by GAL2, which outperformed PG by 22.95 % and 31.71 %, respectively. Furthermore, it produced adequate load distribution but localized damaged surfaces. These results emphasize the promise of Al-mesh hybrid structures for robust, lightweight applications in structural and automotive sectors.