Aluminum-Based Fiber Metal Laminates in the Aircraft Industry
摘要
The main focus of this chapter is to investigate the development, application, and advantages of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) across various industries, particularly in the aircraft industry. FMLs combine the lightweight, high strength, and good corrosion resistance properties of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) with the beneficial attributes of sheet metal, such as good fracture toughness and impact properties. This combination leads to exceptional properties, including high fatigue resistance, impact strength, safety, and damage tolerance. Therefore, studies have shown significant progress in using these materials in the aircraft industry, replacing traditional materials. FMLs can be categorized by the type of sheet metal (titanium, magnesium, and aluminum) and the fiber reinforcement in the FRP (glass, carbon, aramid, and natural fibers), each exhibiting unique properties. However, the use of FMLs based on aluminum metal sheets and glass fiber reinforcement (GLARE) in the aircraft industry has notably increased due to the necessary impact, thermal, corrosion, and fatigue properties. Additionally, the performance of FMLs heavily relies on the choice of manufacturing processes and the characteristics of the metal-FRP interface. Selecting a suitable manufacturing method, such as an autoclave, ensuring a strong interface between metal sheets and FRP, and incorporating new technologies like nanomaterials can enhance the efficiency and performance of these materials. In the end, due to their wide applications and continuous technological advances, FMLs are expected to continue to expand in modern aircraft engineering and provide a suitable response to the increasing demands for efficiency, stability, and safety.