Evaluation of mechanical properties of Mg-Al layered double hydroxide as a filler in epoxy-based FML composites

Superior mechanical and formability properties are essential for applications in aviation, road vehicles, rail coaches and shipbuilding industry. Continuous efforts are carried on to identify suitable materials that satisfy the demanding properties for the above applications. Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) with E-glass reinforcements find its applications in the above fields. To improve the mechanical and formability characteristics of FMLs, various percentages of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are added and the resultant laminates are studied through tensile test, formability parameters, flexural test, lap shear test, impact test, hardness test, Erichsen cupping test etc. Scanning electron microscopy was used to find the fracture behavior of the FMLs. The nano LDH is added to the epoxy resin matrix by means of dispersion process using ethanol. Strength determination test and characterization have been conducted to find the properties of nano LDH particle-reinforced FMLs. The results exhibit the superiority of LDH-added FMLs over plain FMLs without LDHs, making the LDH-added FMLs a suitable candidate for the above applications.