Advanced hybrid laminates: elastomer integration for optimized mechanical properties

Abstract Interleaving elastomeric films into polymeric composite materials is a promising technological solution to manufacture components with localized functionalities. To optimize processing time and reduce testing costs, there is an urgent need for modeling strategies to predict the effect of hybridization based on the fundamental properties of singular constituents. In this work, three different laminates with varying numbers and positions of elastomeric layers were manufactured and mechanically tested in flexural configuration. The digital image correlation (DIC) technique is employed to evaluate the displacements and the strain field on the surface of the sample. A numerical framework for the prediction of the mechanical response, including damage initiation and evolution, was developed and validated against experimental data. The numerical results showed significant agreement with the experiments, reporting a maximum mismatch of about 10% in strain distribution and about 2% in the ultimate load. Additionally, degradation trends in the load vs. deflection curves were always consistent. Analysis of the fractured surface and predicted failure modes further demonstrated the reliability of the method.