Investigation on the mechanical behavior of fiber-metal laminates based on polyvinyl chloride reinforced by 3D glass fibers

Abstract Fiber-Metal Laminates (FMLs) are new hybrid materials with a lightweight structure, excellent tensile and bending forces properties, as well as high impact resistance. In this paper, production and mechanical properties are investigated in FMLs made from the aluminum sheet as the core and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thermoplastic reinforced by 3D glass fibers. The inside space of 3D glass fibers is filled with PVC powder and PVC films has been used for adherence layers to each other. FMLs produced under different temperatures, pressures, and processing time. The mechanical properties of FMLs, including their tensile and flexural strength, were investigated and evaluated. Based on the results, the temperature had the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of the samples. The highest tensile and flexural strengths were achieved for the FMLs that produced at 180 °C, 20 min, and pressure of 2.5 MPa, respectively equal to 112.8 MPa and 78.3 MPa. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging of the fracture surfaces of the tensile and bending area of the flexural test shows that the best impregnation and bonding between the matrix material and fibers was established at 180 °C.