Author(s)

G.S. Langdon, W.J. Cantwell & G.N. Nurick

Abstract

The blast response of a range of novel fibre-metal laminates (FMLs) based on fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites has been studied using a ballistic pendulum. Here, FMLs based on stacked arrangements of aluminium alloy and two types of glass fibre reinforced polypropylene have been subjected to localised blast loading using a plastic explosive. The response of these lightweight FMLs has been compared to that exhibited by a thermosetting-based FML. An examination of the glass/polypropylene FML samples highlighted the presence of extensive matrix microcracking, delamination and localised fibre fracture in the composite plies, plus thinning in the aluminium layers. Some general failure modes def

Keywords