Investigation of curing deformation behavior of curved fiber metal laminates

To keep the size and shape accuracy of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) with an initial curvature during manufacturing, curing deformation behavior is investigated by using analytical, numerical and experimental methods. Based on Eckstein's theory, an analytical model considering slippage effect between metal layer and fiber layer is developed to study the warping deformation modes of curved FMLs after curing process. The warping displacements of the curved FMLs predicted by the analytical method are in good agreement with the finite element results and experimental data. The final equilibrium configurations of the curved FMLs can be captured by using the analytical method, which can guide the size and shape control for FMLs. The effect of the side length, initial curvature radius and stacking sequence on the curing deformation characteristics of curved FMLs is studied. The curing deformation mechanisms of the curved FMLs with [Al/0/90/Al] and [Al/90/0/Al] stacking sequences are also illustrated from the perspectives of force and total strain energy.