An Overview of the Natural/Synthetic Fibre-Reinforced Metal-Composite Sandwich Structures for Potential Applications in Aerospace Sectors

Abstract

Composite materials have been subjected to permanent interest among engineers, scientists and research communities due to their various promising characteristics compared to metallic alloys. The technological evolution in the composite field has led to the development of advanced composite materials, namely, fibre-metal laminates (FMLs). FMLs are those sandwich materials that are formed by the coalescence of composites and metallic alloys. Through the years, FMLs such as glass laminate aluminium-reinforced epoxy (GLARE) have been employed as the fuselage structural materials in aerospace industries due to their excellent fatigue crack resistance. However, it has been identified that FMLs also encompass superior impact properties. This chapter intends to give a comprehensive overview of the FMLs in aerospace sectors, including the classification of standardised FMLs and manufacturing techniques. The various surface pre-treatment methods of FMLs are discussed and explained. Finally, the potential applications of natural/synthetic fibre-based FMLs in aerospace sectors are presented.