Experimental and numerical investigation of fatigue crack growth in aluminum plates repaired by FML composite patch

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the fiber metal laminates (FML) composites as a patch for repairing a single notched specimen made of AL1035 aluminum alloy. The FML composite patch was bonded on one side of the cracked specimens by adhesive Araldite 2015. Then the fatigue crack growth tests were conducted on the specimens and the effects of both FML patch lay-up sequence and pre-crack angle on the fatigue life were investigated. Finally, the effect of repairing on the fracture parameters (SIF and crack propagation direction) at the crack front has also been calculated using three-dimensional finite element analysis. Design/methodology/approach – The fatigue crack growth tests were conducted on the specimens and the effects of both FML patch lay-up sequence and pre-crack angle on the fatigue life were investigated. Findings – The results show that the fatigue life of the patched specimens with inclined crack increased approximately 2-6.02 times compared to the un-patched specimens. In additio...