Investigation of the Impact of Thermo-Stamping, Fiber Orientation, and Metal Thickness on the Formability of Fiber Metal Laminates

Despite being invented several decades ago, fiber metal laminates (FMLs) still encounter challenges in large-scale manufacturing, especially in forming small and complex-shaped components. These challenges arise from the limited strain rate of the fiber layers compared to the metallic layers. Consequently, conventional approaches to form FML parts are often inadequate. To produce parts free of defects such as fractures and wrinkles, this study investigates the effects of Thermo-stamping (TH-S), in addition to fiber orientation, on the forming behavior of FMLs, employing two different aluminum layer thicknesses. A comprehensive approach combining finite element simulations and experimental analyses was employed. The study investigated thinning of aluminum alloy layers, stress distributions across different layers, and the influence of fiber orientation. The FML blanks are made of a middle woven glass fiber prepreg with a thickness of 0.2 mm, using a thermosetting epoxy system, and Al 2024-T3 alloy sheets with varying thicknesses of 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. Material behavior was evaluated using Abaqus software, applying the Johnson-Cook criterion for damage initiation in ductile metals and Hashin’s theory for damage initiation in fiber-reinforced composites. These simulations were then compared with experimental results. The findings highlight the potential of the TH-S process to enhance the forming performance of FMLs, particularly evident in the case of the 0°/45° middle layer fiber, which exhibits a higher forming depth and a more uniform thickness distribution. Additionally, a greater flexibility of the glass fiber under the 0°/45° layup compared to the 0/90 layup was detected. This flexibility provides the aluminum layers with more freedom of deformation in the plastic domain. These advancements hold promise for widespread industrial applications of FMLs.