Adhesion strength and mechanical properties of nanoclay modified hybrid kevlar/jute‐epoxy fiber metal laminate

Abstract

AbstractDelamination due to interfacial debonding between metal/composite is identified as a potential failure mechanism of fiber metal laminates (FML). In the present study, titanium based fiber metal laminate (Ti‐FML) were fabricated using different wt% of nanoclay modified epoxy as adhesive. Kevlar/jute fibers bidirectionally woven mat was used to prepare the composite layer in the laminate. The laminates produced using compression molding techniques were studied for tensile, flexural, impact load bearing capacity and adhesive strength based on lap shear and peel test following ASTM standards. Lap shear adhesive strength of nanoclay modified epoxy was enhanced to 27 MPa and interlaminar peel strength was increased to 16.8 N/mm in the laminates, when the amount of nanoclay was increased to 8 wt%. Matrix crack deflection and crack bridging due to the presence of nanoclay was identified as potential mechanism for increasing the adhesive strength of epoxy. Enhanced adhesive strength resulted in improved mechanical characteristics of Ti‐FML, exhibiting notable increases in tensile load bearing capacity at 15.5 kN, flexural peak load at 0.36 kN, and bending strength at 890 MPa, achieved with a 7 wt% increase in nanoclay content. Fiber breakage and plastic deformation of metal combinedly developed the failure deformation, load bearing and energy absorption capacity of the laminate. Hybridization of fibers kevlar/jute played a significant role in enhancing the energy absorption capacity of laminates. The developed material can find applications in aerospace structures, automotive components, and marine environments where superior mechanical performance and durability are essential.Highlights Nanoclay‐modified titanium‐based FMLs with kevlar/jute hybrid fiber mats prepared. The adhesive strength of nanoclay‐modified epoxy increased due to crack deflection and bridging, enhancing the load‐bearing capacity of the titanium FML. Improved adhesive strength controlled delamination failure in tensile and flexural tests. The laminate's impact energy absorption capacity was enhanced by nanoclay, hybrid kevlar/jute fiber composite, and titanium ductility.