Failure modes and energy absorption in Glass Reinforced aluminum (GLARE) hybrid laminates subjected to three-point bending

This paper investigates 3-point bending failure of five different types of GLARE laminates (2A, 2B, 3, 4A and 4B). 73 configurations (419 specimens), with different stacking sequences and aluminum layer thicknesses are tested. Failure mechanisms, effect of stacking sequence, effect of aluminum rolling direction, effect of displacement rate and energy absorption are analyzed. Configurations with predominantly 0°glass fiber layers fail with delamination as the major failure mode, while configurations with predominantly 90°glass fiber layers fail with central cracking as the major failure mode. GLARE 3, with 1:1 ratio of 0°and 90°fibers, fail with an equal mix of delamination and central cracking. A semi-analytical framework that can be used to predict the force versus displacement curve for central cracking failure is proposed and validated. • Present 419 bending tests encompassing 73 unique configurations of GLARE. • Explain energy absorption mechanism in GLARE. • Identification of failure modes of different configuration of GLARE. • Explain effects of thickness and stacking sequence on failure modes. • Explore effects of displacement rate affecting failure modes. • Predictive analytical method to generate force versus displacement curves for GLARE.