Experimental and optimisation studies on mechanical and machining characteristics of carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates

Abstract

The evolution of modern civilization necessitates the simultaneous technological advancement in the field of materials. In this regard development of new materials should possess high performance capability and reliability. In such cases, it will not be enough to meet specific characteristics using single material. So as time advanced, a combination of materials like composite material has emerged. The commercial use of composite materials was introduced after the Second World War. Presently with increasing demand in industries pertain to aerospace for high strength and low weight structures has inspired the growth of fibre metal laminates (FMLs). Fibre metal laminates are hybrid laminates made up of alternating thin layers of metal sheets and fibre-reinforced prepregs. A novel FML system consists of alternate layers of thin aluminium sheets bonded with carbon fibre mat/ epoxy resin. Carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates (CARAL) delivers the most needed properties like good strength, corrosion resistance, fire resistance, fatigue resistance, impact resistance and light weight over metal alloys. Number of research has been carried out on the area of mechanical and machining characteristics of composites and composite laminates. Only a limited number of experimental studies were reported on the mechanical and machining characteristics of FMLs. However, the mechanical and machining characteristics of GLARE and ARALL were discussed in various literatures but only few literatures reported about CARAL. For the first time, this research will focus on filling this gap and give a better understanding of mechanical and machining characteristics of CARAL. newline