Experimental and numerical validation of an inter-ply friction model for thermoset based fibre metal laminate under hot-pressing conditions

Hot-pressing can be an attractive fabrication method that enables the forming of hybrid materials like thermoset based fibre metal laminates. However, the process simulation on press forming requires accurate material characterization and boundary conditions to facilitate part design for a defect-free component. In order to improve the overall...

Detection and Evaluation of Pre-Preg Gaps and Overlaps in Glare Laminates

Gaps and overlaps between pre-preg plies represent common flaws in composite materials that can be introduced easily in an automated fibre placement manufacturing process and are potentially detrimental for the mechanical performances of the final laminates. Whereas gaps and overlaps have been addressed for full composite material, the topic...

Analysis of thermal strains and stresses in heated fibre metal laminates

Current trends in aircraft design are to increase the economic efficiency by integrating different features in multifunctional materials. One strategy is to embed resistance heater elements between glass-fibre epoxy layers in (heated) fibre metal laminates and to use them as anti or de-icing devices in leading edges of wings. Heated glass...

Effect of prepreg gaps and overlaps on mechanical properties of fibre metal laminates

During the automated manufacturing of fibre reinforced laminates, defects can be produced. Gaps and overlaps between adjacent prepreg layers can be produced in composites during the tape-layup process. However, the topic is not yet studied for hybrid materials, in which metal sheets and thin prepreg layers lead to different effects due to the...

Out-of-autoclave manufacturing of GLARE panels using resistance heating

Autoclave manufacturing of fibre metal laminates, such as GLARE, is an expensive process.Therefore, there is an increasing interest to find cost effective out-of-autoclave manufacturing processes without diminishing the laminate quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of fibre metal laminate...

Strain characterization of embedded aerospace smart materials using shearography

The development of smart materials for embedding in aerospace composites provides enhanced functionality for future aircraft structures. Critical flight conditions like icing of the leading edges can affect the aircraft functionality and controllability. Hence, anti-icing and de-icing capabilities are used. In case of leading edges made of fibre...