Manufacturing Thermoplastic Fibre Metal Laminates by the InSitu Polymerisation Route

Fibre metal hybrid laminates (FMLs), where thin metal sheets and fibre-reinforced composites are integrated, offer superior characteristics of the composites combined with the ductility of the metal phase. Hybrid composites containing continuous fibre-reinforced plies and metal layers offer unique mechanical properties. In the investigation, infusible liquid thermoplastic (TP) resin Elium®, glass fibre reinforcements and metal sheets (Al alloy) (6082-T6) were used to fabricate low-cost FMLs by a resin infusion method at room temperature. Since the interfacial bonding between the metal and the thermoplastic composite (TPC) layer plays a vital role in the performance of the FML, different surface treatments have been explored as a means of enhancing the interfacial bonding with the TPC layer.