An analysis of interface delamination mechanisms in orthotropic and hybrid fiber-metal composite laminates

The onset and propagation of interlaminar defects is one of the main damage mechanisms in composite materials. This is even more the case when considering layered materials comprising metallic laminae (typically Aluminium) and FRP laminae. Propagation of delamination mainly depends on the initial crack extension and its loading mode.This work presents some results of a combined analytical–numerical–experimental study on the onset and propagation mechanisms regarding interlaminar defects. Two cases have been analysed in particular, the first consisting of a glass-fibre reinforced epoxy resin laminate, and the second consisting of a hybrid laminate where a lamina of aluminium is layered between FRP laminae.