Preparation and properties of Fibre-Metal Laminates based on carbon fibre reinforced PMR polyimide

A novel Fibre-Metal Laminates (FMLs) based on carbon fibre reinforced PMR polyimide were prepared using a hot press process in this paper. Pre-treatment on the titanium surface were conducted prior to laminating. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were used to observe the morphologies of the titanium and the cross-sections of the FMLs. SEM results showed that micro-roughness structures were formed on the titanium surface after anodization. This structure enhanced the interlaminar bond strength between titanium and polyimide. Flexural and Interlaminar shear (ILSS) tests showed that the FMLs possess excellent flexural and interlaminar properties at both room temperature and elevated temperature. Thermostability tests proved that the FMLs based on carbon fibre reinforced PMR polyimide offered excellent thermal properties. It is shown that no delamination appears between titanium layer and the fibre-reinforced polyimide layer after 1000 times thermal shock.