An Experimental Study of Buckling of FML Plate Reinforced with Nanoclay

Fiber-metal laminate, is known as FML in the composite structures. It is widely used in the aerospace industry due to good properties, weight optimization and other industrial properties such as fire resistance, high strength limit, impact resistance and corrosion. In addition, these materials have special characteristics such as high strength and low weight. The discussion of buckling behavior is one of the most important discussions of mechanical science. The present study examines the effects of nanoparticles (nanocleys) on the mechanical characteristic (buckling) of metal/ composite materials of epoxy basalt. Multi-layer fiber-epoxy base metal is made of two-layer aluminum alloy 2024 which the between of layers is located the nanocomposite core containing epoxy with nanoclay. The nanocomposite core consists of basalt fibers with the weight to area ratio (W/A) equal to 300 gr/m2 EPR1080 resin, EA1080 hardener and bentonite clay nanoparticles with 0, 1, 3 and 5 percentages. It should be noted that, all specimens were made using VPA method. Also, buckling tests have done using a tensile test device at a speed of 0.5 mm / min. The results of the buckling experiments indicate that the buckling load of FML beam with 5% of nanoclay rather than other percentages of it has better buckling load. Also, absorbed energy enhanced by increasing weight content of nano particle.