Influence of Nanoparticles on Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Polymer-Layered Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs)

Fibre metal laminates (FMLs) are widely recommended composite materials in aerospace and automobile industries due to their lightweight/cost-effective nature and good mechanical properties. Recent studies revealed that incorporation of nanoparticles into these materials significantly enhanced the mechanical properties. In this study, the influence of 1 wt% alumina (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the tensile and flexural properties of hybrid (carbon/glass fibres) FMLs has been investigated. Results showed that hybrid FML exhibits better tensile properties over Glare, but compared to unreinforced hybrid FML, a reduction of tensile strength by 7%, 5.3%, 14.8% was observed after adding Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, respectively, into the epoxy. Highest flexural strength was observed in Al2O3-reinforced FML. TiO2-reinforced FML showed lowest flexural strength. Fractography was conducted using scanning electron microscope and stereo microscope to understand the fibre and metal surface fracture morphology of nanohybrid FMLs.