Damage analysis of a GLARE laminate subjected to interlaminar shear

GLARE (Glass Laminate Aluminum Reinforced Epoxy) is a hybrid material composed of aluminum sheets alternated to fibre glass composite material and it is used for some applications in the aeronautical field. In the present work, the mechanical performance of a GLARE laminate is compared to that one of a GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) laminate. In particular, the ILSS (Interlaminar Shear Strength) of both laminates were determined through a three-point bending test carried out on short beam specimens. From the experimental results, a slightly higher strength was found for the GFRP laminate, even if the difference was similar to the experimental scattering. Moreover, the analysis of the whole shear stress trend as a function of the loading nose displacement highlighted that the loading nose displacement at the first breakage of the GLARE was higher than that of the GFRP, as well as the residual strength (after the first breakage) of the former was higher than that of the latter. Therefore, the GFRP has a brittle behavior, while the GLARE has a higher toughness.