Experimental and numerical investigation of ply size effects of steel foil reinforced composites

The effect of ply thickness on the notch sensitivity and bearing properties carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites their hybrid laminates with steel foils were studied. Laminates thicknesses 0.3 mm 0.03 comprising CFRP manufactured characterized using tension, open hole tension double lap tests. A 25% substitution was found to load extensive plastic deformation in joint while maintaining high stress constant cross-sectional laminate. With a good agreement between finite element predicted values failure behaviour, damage initiation progression behaviour could be observed experimentally. We numerically captured (i) rapid 0° plies thin (ii) continuous delamination significant for thick hybrid. numerical results significantly reduce future experimental work when designing allow laminate lay-up tailored cases. Both experiments models underline distinct size effects occurring respect hybridising very ductile metal brittle yet strong composite material.