Exciting research into hybrid laminates

Combining two different materials not only results in new properties but also new challenges. The combination of fiber-plastic composites (FRP) with metals allows the advantages of both material classes to be combined but also leads to potentially significant thermal residual stresses due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion. In order to investigate this phenomenon in more detail, the project "Characterization and modelling of the stress- and load cycle-dependent residual stress development and damage evolution of electrically conductive fiber-metal laminates with process-induced residual stresses" is currently being launched at IVW in collaboration with the Chair of Materials Testing Technology (WPT) at TU Dortmund University. The project is initially being funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for two years. A second two-year project phase is planned.

A laminate made of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin and steel foils serves as a model material. By varying the process conditions, different residual stress states are specifically set. Fatigue tests with accompanying conductivity measurements are carried out on these laminates. The crack propagation and delamination behavior are determined from this and corresponding material models are derived. The results can be used to predict the service life of hybrid metal-FRP components and to optimize materials and processes.

The project "Characterization and modelling of the stress- and load cycle-dependent residual stress development and damage evolution of electrically conductive fiber-metal laminates with process-induced residual stresses" is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) - project number 541803764.