Experimental Study of Polyester/Fiberglass/Stainless Steel Fiber Metal Laminates Mechanical Properties.

The use of fiber-reinforced metal laminates (FML) is increasing due to their special mechanical properties. Their properties depend on the type and thickness of the metal and reinforcing fibers. In this study, the mechanical properties of FML sheets with a 2 mm thickness stainless steel 420 intermediate layer reinforced with six layers of Woven and Mat glass fibers were investigated. The fibers were impregnated with a polyester resin and produced as three layers on the front and back of the steel sheet with different fiber angles (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°). Finally, samples with 8 mm thickness were cut by water jet. Mechanical properties including static tensile and bending tests were performed, and after that a low-cycle dynamic tensile and bending test was also performed according to the obtained maximum static tensile and bending force for each sample. The obtained results varied depending on the fibers' angle, but in all tests, the highest strength was obtained for samples with fibers arranged at 0°. A charpy impact and high speed pressure test were performed to determine toughness and confirm the strength and adhesion between the samples' layers. SEM imaging of the fracture surface showed good adhesion and bonding between layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]