Experimental investigation on the ballistic performance of fiber metal laminates impacted by different nosed projectiles

Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) are hybrid composite materials exhibiting extensive potential for application in protective structures due to their excellent impact resistance. In this study, the ballistic performance of glass fiber reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE) impacted by different nosed projectiles was investigated experimentally. The ballistic tests were conducted based on one-stage gas gun with high-speed camera system. Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (mu CT) scan was utilized for internal damage, delamination and failure detection of the GLARE plates after ballistic tests. The experimental results show that the ballistic limit of GLARE impacted by a flat nosed projectile is higher than in the case of a conical or spherical nosed projectile. The dominated failure mechanism of the GLARE plate impacted by flat nosed projectile is shear failure at the impact side changing to tensile failure at the rear side. For plates impacted by conical and spherical nosed projectiles, the typical tensile tear failure with petal-shaped holes was observed. This study provides an in-depth understanding on the impact response of FMLs, promoting the application of GLARE in the field of military equipment and aerospace engineering.