Experimental and numerical investigation of high velocity impact resistance in fiber metal laminates

Fiber- metal laminates (FMLs) are new type of hybrid composites based on thin metal layers, such as aluminum or titanium alloys, and prepreg composite material, such as glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. FML represents good mechanical property and less weight than traditional aluminum layers. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on high velocity impact response of fiber- metal laminates based on prepreg woven glass fiber and 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. After lay- up and curing of samples, in order to assessment of ballistic impact behavior, tests on FMLs and 2024-T3 aluminum layers, were undertaken using a light gas gun at velocities up to 90 m/s. The results of experimental works indicate that FMLs based on prepreg woven glass fiber have higher specific perforation energy than the aluminum samples. Numerical simulations were performed by the finite element software, ABAQUS, using tensile and shear failure for damage criteria. Good agreement was observed between the numerical and experimental data.