Tribo-mechanical analysis of magnesium-based fibre metal laminates for structural applications

Fibre metal laminates (FML) play a significant role in the aircraft industry. The present work is to achieve a high load bearing structure and wear resistant FML for airbus cargo floors and doors. An innovative attempt has been made to reveal the mechanical and tribological properties of the FML (Glass/AZ91D/Glass). The glass fibre used is of bi-diagonal fabric to enhance the shear properties of the FML. The laminates were prepared by hand layup technique, which was post compressed to a uniform shape in the compression moulding machine. Mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, and low-velocity impact were conducted on the FML samples. The mechanical properties of the magnesium-based FML exhibit an excellent tensile strength of 227.3 MPa, the flexural strength of 231.3 MPa, and the energy absorbed by the plate are 93.648 J. These results were promising, and comparatively better than the conventional laminates in the case of load bearing structures. The wear was tested in Pin-on-Disc and the wear resistance was also found to be better than conventional laminates. The micro-structural analysis along the wear regime shows a prominent wear resistance and fewer cracks, due to the presence of AZ91D in the laminates.