Fracture micrographic analysis of a carbon FML under three-point bending load

The core of the present work concerns the analysis of the failure mode and the fracture process induced by the flexural load in Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs). The influence of the connection layer placed between the composite ones and the metal sheets on the fracture mode was analysed. The considered FML was made of aluminium sheets interposed with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) layers, joined with two different types of interface: by using a structural adhesive, or by relying on the bonding capacity of the prepreg resin. Then, the mechanical performances of the produced laminates were determined through the three-point bending test procedure, and the support span was varied to investigate different loading conditions. Finally, the fracture surface morphology was analysed by using both optical and scanning electron microscopes. The type of interface was found to influence the strength of the studied FML, and different fracture modes were observed, depending on the loading condition.