Tensile failure of fibre-metal-laminates made of titanium and carbon-fibre/epoxy laminates

Abstract The tensile properties of the lightweight titanium-based carbon-fibre/epoxy laminates (TI-CF FMLs) were investigated under quasi-static loading. A comprehensive experimental study was conducted for eleven different types of the TI-CF FMLs (considering various metal sheet thicknesses, metal volume fractions and fibre orientations) as well as their associated constituent materials (i.e., Ti-6Al-4V and carbon-fibre/epoxy laminates). Specimens were fabricated using vacuum bagging technique in an autoclave. Theoretical predictions using the volume fraction approach based on the rule of mixtures match closely with the measured mechanical properties of the TI-CF FMLs. In addition, tensile failure mechanisms of the specimens were explored in this study.