Development and Mechanical Behavior of FML/Aluminium Foam Sandwiches

• Published in: Applied composite materials Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 789 - 802
• Main Authors: Bastürk, S B, Tanolu, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-10-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Polymer Sciences; Flexural behavior; Al foam; Sandwich composites; Interface; Fiber/Metal Laminates (FML)
• ISSN: 0929-189X; 1573-4897
• DOI: 10.1007/s10443-012-9306-3

In this study, the Fiber-Metal Laminates (FMLs) containing glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFPP) and aluminum (Al) sheet were consolidated with Al foam cores for preparing the sandwich panels. The aim of this article is the comparison of the flexural properties of FML/Al foam sandwich panels bonded with various surface modification approaches (silane treatment and combination of silane treatment with polypropylene (PP) based film addition). The FML/foam sandwich systems were fabricated by laminating the components in a mould at 200 °C under 1.5 MPa pressure. The energy absorbtion capacities and flexural mechanical properties of the prepared sandwich systems were evaluated by mechanical tests. Experiments were performed on samples of varying foam thicknesses (8, 20 and 30 mm). The bonding among the sandwich components were achieved by various surface modification techniques. The Al sheet/Al foam sandwiches were also consolidated by bonding the components with an epoxy adhesive to reveal the effect of GFPP on the flexural performance of the sandwich structures.